The Nigerian Defence Headquarters reported Saturday that security forces have eliminated 169 terrorists and detained 641 suspects in intensified counter-terrorism operations across the country.
In Borno State, airstrikes targeted insurgent hideouts, killing over 70 militants in the Kwallaram area.
In an official statement, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, noted, “Troops have ramped up their offensive against insurgents, utilizing synchronized airstrikes by the air force and ground offensives by land forces to dismantle terrorist strongholds.”
He explained that airstrikes on November 6 struck terrorist bases on Kwallaram and Arianna Ciki islands, resulting in over 70 confirmed fatalities at Kwallaram, with more insurgents killed in Arianna Ciki.
The operations, carried out by the air component of Operation HADIN KAI, aim to destabilize terrorist networks in Borno, Nigeria’s northeastern state severely affected by insurgency.
In addition to these efforts, troops combating oil theft arrested 40 suspected oil thieves and recovered illegally appropriated crude oil valued at approximately N1 billion. Maj. Gen. Edward added, “Troops in the South-South region foiled an attempt to steal oil worth N1.4 billion, dismantling numerous illegal refining sites.”
During anti-oil theft operations in the Niger Delta, troops discovered 20 illegal crude oil processing ovens, 42 boats, 50 storage tanks, and other equipment used in refining stolen oil.
They recovered over 914,000 litres of crude oil, more than 537,000 liters of illegally refined diesel, and 1,285 liters of petrol. Additional items included motorcycles, mobile phones, and vehicles linked to illegal activities.
Weapons seizures included 106 AK-47 rifles, 38 locally fabricated firearms, and nearly 3,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, while 181 hostages were rescued from kidnappers, further underscoring the breadth of the operations.
“These actions demonstrate the military’s continued commitment to safeguarding citizens and securing Nigeria’s territories,” Maj. Gen. Edward stated.
