Nigerian Military Arrests 88 Terror Suspects, Rescues 72 Kidnap Victims in Nationwide Operations

The Defence Headquarters has announced a sweeping nationwide security breakthrough, confirming that troops arrested 88 suspected terrorists and criminal collaborators and rescued 72 kidnap victims in coordinated operations conducted between November 13 and 14, 2025.

Major General Olatokunbo Bello, Director of Defence Information, detailed the operations in a statement, explaining that the arrests included logistics suppliers, informants, sympathisers, spies, and other criminal elements across multiple regions. According to him, troops also recovered a large cache of weapons, stating that they had “recovered large catches of arms and ammunition” during the operations.

Bello further revealed that troops disrupted oil theft operations in the Niger Delta, where they destroyed six illegal refining sites, apprehended five suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen petroleum products valued at N15,893,579.00. He added that seized items included 12,600 litres of stolen crude oil and 3,287 litres of AGO, along with dozens of illegal refining structures such as crude oil ovens, dugout pits, storage tanks, and boats.

In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) intensified pressure on insurgent groups. They arrested 45 terrorist collaborators, informants, sympathisers and spies, while also rescuing a kidnapped victim. Bello noted that the soldiers destroyed several terrorist hideouts during the operations and recovered weapons, ammunition and vehicles.

The North-West also recorded significant progress, as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma engaged terror groups, killing several fighters, arresting two suspects and rescuing 13 kidnapped victims. Weapons, vehicles and livestock were recovered during clearance operations in the region.

In the North-Central, troops of Operation Enduring Peace apprehended 16 suspects while rescuing five kidnap victims. Similarly, soldiers under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested 10 suspected criminals, neutralised others during confrontations and successfully rescued 48 kidnapped victims. Bello added that troops also intercepted two suspected gunrunners and two collaborators in Wamba and Doma Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, recovering arms, ammunition, vehicles and livestock.

The Niger Delta saw intensified anti-crude-oil theft operations, with soldiers not only disrupting multi-million-naira theft attempts but also destroying illegal refining infrastructure, including six illegal sites and various associated equipment.

Meanwhile, in the South-East, troops under Operation Udo Ka killed a terrorist during an encounter and arrested seven criminal suspects across different locations.

The Defence Headquarters commended the troops for their dedication and reassured Nigerians that the military remains committed to dismantling criminal networks nationwide. The statement encouraged citizens to continue providing credible information that can aid ongoing operations to restore peace and stability across the country.

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