From Victor Osula, Abuja
Nigerian military troops have eliminated 82 terrorists, arrested 198 suspects, including 22 involved in oil theft, and rescued 93 kidnapped victims in various operations conducted nationwide between February 14 and 21, 2025.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this while providing an update on recent security operations.
He noted that troops of Operation Delta Safe in the South-South region intensified efforts to curb oil theft, recovering stolen crude and illegally refined products valued at over N587 million.
He stated, “During the week under review, troops, in collaboration with security agencies and hybrid forces, carried out multiple operations, including raids, ambushes, clearance patrols, search-and-rescue missions, and air interdictions. These efforts led to the elimination of several terrorists, the arrest of their collaborators, and the rescue of abducted individuals.
“Between February 14 and 21, a total of 82 terrorists were neutralized, 198 suspects were apprehended, and 22 individuals involved in oil theft were taken into custody. Additionally, 93 kidnapped victims were freed.”
Kangye further detailed the success of operations in the South-South, where security forces thwarted oil theft worth an estimated N587,190,740.
Troops recovered 366,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 117,320 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 600 litres of kerosene.
They also dismantled 38 crude oil cooking ovens, 27 dugout pits, 22 boats, two speedboats, 60 storage tanks, 34 drums, and 32 illegal refining sites.
Additional seizures included three pumping machines, a tricycle, three motorcycles, five mobile phones, and two vehicles.
Troops also confiscated a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including 46 AK-47 rifles, 18 locally fabricated guns, 19 Dane guns, three pump-action rifles, 1,165 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 128 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 600 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, and 51 cartridges.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against terrorism, oil theft, and other criminal activities nationwide.
