Military Neutralises Top Terror Commanders, Rescues Over 2,300 Hostages in 2025 – DHQ

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) said they have recorded significant operational successes across all theatres of operation between January and December 2025, neutralising top terrorist commanders, arresting thousands of suspects and rescuing more than 2,300 kidnapped victims nationwide.

The military high command further assured Nigerians that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets remain actively deployed to monitor terrorist movements and prevent displaced fighters from regrouping in new areas.

Director of Defence Media Information, Major General Michael Onojah made this known on Wednesday at the Defence Headquarters Abuja while addressing journalist on military operations for the year 2025.

Onojah said year-end operational review released by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) revealed that troops, working with other security agencies, eliminated several high-profile terrorist and bandit leaders, arrested 4,375 suspects and received the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and their family members within the period.
The operations, conducted under multiple Joint Task Forces nationwide, targeted terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality threatening national security.

He said troops under Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements. The military neutralised senior commanders and foot soldiers, arrested 1,323 suspects, secured the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and rescued 498 kidnapped victims.
Several terrorist camps and logistics hubs were destroyed, while arms, ammunition, vehicles and ₦32 million in cash were recovered.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA countered banditry, kidnapping and terrorist infiltration. Troops neutralised numerous fighters, arrested 669 suspects and rescued 966 abducted persons.

A major highlight was a joint precision strike, supported by intelligence collaboration with the United States, against Islamic State (ISIS) enclaves in the Bauni Forest area of Sokoto State. Sixteen GPS-guided munitions deployed via unmanned aerial platforms dismantled key terrorist assembly points without civilian casualties, the military said.

Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE addressed armed banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and farmers-herders clashes across the North-Central zone. Troops arrested over 1,200 suspects, rescued 755 kidnapped victims and recovered large caches of arms and ammunition.
Security forces also dismantled arms trafficking networks supplying criminal groups in Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba States.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE recorded major gains against oil theft and illegal refining. Troops thwarted crude oil theft valued at ₦8.9 billion, recovered over 20 million litres of stolen petroleum products and destroyed 503 illegal refining sites.
The operation also led to the arrest of 778 suspects, the rescue of 53 kidnapped victims and the seizure of weapons and ammunition.

In the South-East, intensified operations under Operation UDO KA weakened the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Troops neutralised several fighters, arrested 324 suspects and rescued at least 64 kidnapped persons.

“The DHQ attributed the decline in violence to sustained intelligence-led operations and recent court rulings against key figures linked to the group” the Onojah added.Military Neutralises Top Terror Commanders, Rescues Over 2,300 Hostages in 2025 – DHQ

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) said they have recorded significant operational successes across all theatres of operation between January and December 2025, neutralising top terrorist commanders, arresting thousands of suspects and rescuing more than 2,300 kidnapped victims nationwide.

The military high command further assured Nigerians that Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets remain actively deployed to monitor terrorist movements and prevent displaced fighters from regrouping in new areas.

Director of Defence Media Information, Major General Michael Onojah made this known on Wednesday at the Defence Headquarters Abuja while addressing journalist on military operations for the year 2025.

Onojah said year-end operational review released by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) revealed that troops, working with other security agencies, eliminated several high-profile terrorist and bandit leaders, arrested 4,375 suspects and received the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and their family members within the period.
The operations, conducted under multiple Joint Task Forces nationwide, targeted terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality threatening national security.

He said troops under Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements. The military neutralised senior commanders and foot soldiers, arrested 1,323 suspects, secured the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and rescued 498 kidnapped victims.
Several terrorist camps and logistics hubs were destroyed, while arms, ammunition, vehicles and ₦32 million in cash were recovered.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA countered banditry, kidnapping and terrorist infiltration. Troops neutralised numerous fighters, arrested 669 suspects and rescued 966 abducted persons.

A major highlight was a joint precision strike, supported by intelligence collaboration with the United States, against Islamic State (ISIS) enclaves in the Bauni Forest area of Sokoto State. Sixteen GPS-guided munitions deployed via unmanned aerial platforms dismantled key terrorist assembly points without civilian casualties, the military said.

Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE addressed armed banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and farmers-herders clashes across the North-Central zone. Troops arrested over 1,200 suspects, rescued 755 kidnapped victims and recovered large caches of arms and ammunition.
Security forces also dismantled arms trafficking networks supplying criminal groups in Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba States.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE recorded major gains against oil theft and illegal refining. Troops thwarted crude oil theft valued at ₦8.9 billion, recovered over 20 million litres of stolen petroleum products and destroyed 503 illegal refining sites.
The operation also led to the arrest of 778 suspects, the rescue of 53 kidnapped victims and the seizure of weapons and ammunition.

In the South-East, intensified operations under Operation UDO KA weakened the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Troops neutralised several fighters, arrested 324 suspects and rescued at least 64 kidnapped persons.

“The DHQ attributed the decline in violence to sustained intelligence-led operations and recent court rulings against key figures linked to the group” the Onojah added.