December 02, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Army has recorded major gains in a sweeping nationwide offensive conducted between November 29 and December 1, 2025, neutralising terror fighters, arresting dozens of suspects and rescuing multiple victims from criminal captivity.
In coordinated operations spanning the North-East, North-Central and South-South regions, troops neutralised eight terrorists, apprehended 51 suspects and rescued 27 victims. The Army also seized significant quantities of arms, ammunition, explosives and illicit goods.
The army, in a statement posted on Tuesday on its official Social media account, stated that in Borno State, troops of the 151, 152 and 192 Task Force Battalions neutralised four ISWAP and JAS fighters during ambush and clearance operations. The missions, carried out around key infiltration routes near Chibok, led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, loaded magazines, heavy-calibre ammunition, communication equipment and weapon components. The Army said the operations disrupted planned terrorist movements into vulnerable communities.
Across Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, and Kaduna, joint forces rescued 20 more kidnap victims and arrested a wide range of suspects, including kidnappers, human traffickers, extremist aides, illegal miners, cultists and a gunrunner. In Taraba’s Karim Lamido area, four extremists were neutralised in a separate raid, further weakening criminal networks operating there. Troops in Plateau also recovered 76 rustled cattle and returned them to their rightful owners.
In the South-South, anti-oil theft operatives uncovered and dismantled an illegal refinery containing about 1,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bayelsa and Rivers States led to the arrest of 25 drug suspects. Troops in Delta State also seized a pistol, cartridges, mobile phones and other items linked to criminal activities.
In Kaduna State, troops intercepted trucks transporting about 5,000kg of gelatine explosives, alongside detonators and cordtex. In a separate operation, security forces arrested notorious gunrunner Shuaibu Isah, who was allegedly attempting to procure 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to denying terrorists and criminal groups any safe ground nationwide, and urged citizens to continue providing credible information to support ongoing security efforts.
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