Mariam Sanni
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ has disclosed that troops arrested 4,375 suspects linked to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities across the country in 2025.
The Nigerian Armed Forces has recorded significant operational success across the country in 2025, arresting thousands of suspects, neutralising top terrorist leaders, rescuing kidnapped victims, and crippling oil theft and illegal refining activities.
This was made known by , the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in a press conference while presenting a comprehensive overview of military operations conducted nationwide within the year, highlighting achievements, evolving threat dynamics, and the resilience of troops in the face of complex security challenges.
He stated that within the same period, 1,616 terrorists and their family members surrendered to the military, while 2,336 kidnapped hostages were successfully rescued across various theatres of operation.
According to the DHQ, in 2025 alone, Nigerian troops arrested 4,375 suspects linked to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities. Within the same period, 1,616 terrorists and their family members surrendered to the military, while 2,336 kidnapped hostages were successfully rescued across various theatres of operation.
Major General Onoja stated that the Armed Forces remained focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and ensuring a secure environment for economic activities to thrive.
He emphasized that operations during the year combined kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, supported by intelligence-led actions and strong inter-agency collaboration.
The DHQ revealed that several high-profile terrorist commanders and notorious bandit leaders were neutralised during the year. Among those eliminated were Aminu Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Bello Buba, Dan Inna, Halilu Sabubu, Abu Dan Shehu Jabbi, Dogo Bashiru Yellow, Abba Allai (also known as Amirul Khalid of Alafa), Amir Abu Fatimah, and Nwachi Eze (aka Onowu). Others included bandit leaders operating under the aliases Dosso, Suleiman, Jagaban, and Danja.
These successes, the military said, significantly degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist and criminal groups, forcing many fighters to surrender or flee from their enclaves.
In the North East, under Operation HADIN KAI, troops continued sustained operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists. Although the groups resorted to isolated attacks and the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the military maintained dominance across the region.
During the year, troops neutralised several commanders and fighters, arrested 1,323 suspects, and received the surrender of 1,616 terrorists. Additionally, 498 kidnapped hostages were rescued, while arms, ammunition, vehicles, and equipment were recovered, alongside ₦32 million in cash. The operations facilitated the return of displaced persons, revitalised farming and trading activities, and enabled the restoration of civil authority in many communities.
Operations in the North West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA focused on countering banditry, kidnapping, and incursions by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the Lakurawa terrorist group. Troops arrested 669 suspects and rescued 966 kidnapped victims during the year.
A major highlight was the execution of precision air strikes against ISIS enclaves in the Bauni Forest area of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State, conducted in partnership with the United States. Using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, 16 GPS-guided munitions neutralised foreign and local ISIS operatives attempting to infiltrate Nigeria through the Sahel corridor. The DHQ confirmed that no civilian casualties were recorded.
In the North Central zone, Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE addressed terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes. Troops arrested arms traffickers, recovered weapons and ammunition, and disrupted criminal supply networks.
