February 14, (THEWILL) – Troops of the Nigerian military neutralised 75 terrorists, arrested 138 others, as well as 36 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 46 kidnapped hostages in various operations across the country between 3rd January and 13th February 2025.
The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in his maiden press briefing, held at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Kangye revealed that during the operations, 65 terrorists, comprising 12 males, 19 females, and 34 children, surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation.
He stated that troops recovered 104 assorted weapons and 2,639 rounds of ammunition, including 55 AK-47 rifles, 20 locally fabricated guns, 8 Dane guns, 18 pump-action guns, 1,826 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 376 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 366 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 26 cartridges, 14 assorted arms, and 45 assorted rounds of ammunition.
In the South-South, Kangye said troops deactivated 42 illegal refinery sites, preventing oil theft worth approximately N646,189,690.00.
Kangye said, “Troops discovered and destroyed 42 illegal refining sites, 164 crude oil cooking ovens, 37 dugout pits, 19 boats, 16 storage tanks, 38 drums, 3 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 7 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones, and 3 vehicles, among others.
“Troops also recovered 497,152 litres of stolen crude oil, 142,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 4,075 litres of PMS”, he said.
Providing an update on operations, Kangye said, “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 22 terrorists, arrested 13 others, and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 12 AK-47 rifles, 2 G3 rifles, 3 Dane guns, 2 fabricated rifles, 102 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 317 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 82 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one RPG tube, 3 RPG bombs, 11 magazines, 2 aircraft engines, one double-barrel cannon gun, 16 missiles, and the sum of N58,980.00.
“Between 5 and 10 February 2025, troops, in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols, and clearance operations in Gwoza, Konduga, Damboa, and Mafa LGAs of Borno State.
“During the operations, 12 terrorists were neutralised, 3 were apprehended, while 4 kidnapped hostages were rescued. Troops also recovered 9 AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, 2 Dane guns, 102 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 55 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one RPG tube, 3 RPG bombs, 6 magazines, 2 aircraft engines from a long-unidentified aircraft crash site, one double-barrel cannon gun, and 16 missiles.
“Additional recoveries included 31 AK-47 rifles, 9 fabricated rifles, 2 GPMGs, one RPG tube, 252 chain links of 12.7mm ammunition, 558 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 12 magazines, 5 Baofeng radios, 13 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones, and N2,451,820.00 in cash.
“On 4 February 2025, troops on a fighting patrol responded to intelligence on terrorist activities in Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State. Following a firefight, 5 terrorists were neutralised, and 5 kidnapped hostages were rescued.
“On the same day, troops encountered terrorists in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State and engaged them, neutralising 6 terrorists and recovering 4 AK-47 rifles, 2 Dane guns, 62 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and 2 motorcycles.
“In Maradun LGA, Zamfara State, troops engaged terrorists in combat, neutralising 8 terrorists and recovering 5 AK-47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, and one Dane gun.”
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