Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the month of February conducted joint operations with the Office of the National Security Adviser-ONSA team, security agencies and hybrid forces. The team conducted coordinated offensive operations dislodging and striking terrorist from their hibernating areas as well as foiled oil theft in the South South region.
In a press statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye; stated that a total of 217 terrorists neutralized, 574 suspected others were arrested while 152 people surrendered. Troops also apprehended 122 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 320 kidnapped hostages. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended.
Meanwhile in the South South region, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Two Billion, One Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Two Naira (N2,199,914,942.00) only. The breakdown includes: 1,790,934 litres of stolen crude oil, 402,936 litres of illegally refined AGO and 600 litres of DPK.
In a related development, troops recovered 296 and 7,245 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively. These includes, 159 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 36 dane guns, 19 pump action guns, 4,836 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,506 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 235 cartridges as well as other 28 assorted arms and 668 assorted ammunitions.
Furthermore, Troops of Operation UDOKA made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists in Enugu LGA of Enugu State as well as Ihiala and Njaba LGAs of Anambra and Imo States respectively. Following a fire fight, one extremists was arrested and a locally fabricated rifles was recovered. b. Arrest. On 20 and 25 February 2025, troops arrested 3 extremists in Edda LGA of Ebonyi State and Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.Sequel to arrest of a kidnapper on 14 February 2024, a cordon and search mission was initiated at the criminal hideouts on 18 February 2025 and troops recovered 2 dane guns, one English made double barrel gun, 3 fabricated pistol barrels, 134 cartridges, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and other locally fabricated gun spares.Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
