Eleojo Wada
The Defence Headquarters says the Armed Forces made “significant progress” in November in their nationwide campaign against terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, rescuing 318 kidnapped victims and compelling more than 69 insurgents and their family members to surrender.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this during his maiden briefing in Abuja, where he pledged heightened transparency and deeper collaboration with the media, urging journalists to prioritise accuracy over sensationalism.
Onoja said troops intensified clearance operations, intelligence led raids, air interdictions and maritime patrols across all theatres, neutralising several fighters and arresting dozens of informants, logistics suppliers and kidnappers.
He added that weapons, vehicles and explosives were recovered and multiple terrorist enclaves dismantled.
“In the North-East, Operation Hadin Kai killed Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters, arrested six collaborators and rescued five hostages, supported by targeted airstrikes on ISWAP positions in Dikwa, Marte and Gajibo,” he said.
In the North-West, Operation Fasin Yamma neutralised terrorists across Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi, rescuing nine victims and arresting 13 suspects, while air raids in Kankara and Faskari “killed scores”.
He said Troops under Operation Enduring Peace in the North-Central repelled attacks in Plateau and Southern Kaduna, arresting 16 suspects and rescuing 10 victims, while Operation Whirl Stroke made arrests across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe disrupted oil theft valued at over ₦12 million, destroyed four illegal refineries and arrested 25 suspects.
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka dismantled armed groups in Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Cross River, arresting four fighters and rescuing four hostages, with airstrikes destroying hideouts in Ezeagu.
Onoja reaffirmed the military’s commitment to rescuing remaining abducted students and called on Nigerians to provide credible intelligence. He also encouraged public support for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem, assuring that the military will “continue to operate within the law and sustain the momentum until peace is restored.”