Nigerian Army Intensifies Nationwide Operations Against Terrorists and Criminal Gangs

Joint operations across four regions yield arrests, weapon seizures, and rescue of kidnapped civilians

Overview: Coordinated National Offensive

The Nigerian Army has escalated its countrywide counter-terrorism and anti-crime operations, resulting in major gains against terrorist networks, bandit groups, and criminal syndicates between October 16 and 19, 2025.

Across four major operational theatres—North East, North Central, North West, and South-South—troops recorded 88 arrests, recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, and rescued multiple kidnapped victims.

The operations were conducted in synergy with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Police, and other security agencies, reflecting the military’s ongoing commitment to neutralize insurgent threats and restore national stability.

North Central: Decapitating Insurgent Networks

In the North Central zone, troops under Sector 2, Operation Enduring Peace, launched a targeted raid on the hideout of a notorious insurgent leader, Alhaji Muhammad Sule (alias MP), at Rawaya Village, Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State.

Recovered from the operation were:

• 2 AK-47 rifles
• 1 G3 rifle
• 1 revolver pistol
• 4 AK-47 magazines, 2 G3 magazines
• 1,198 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
• 4 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition

The successful raid disrupted a critical arms-supply route and dismantled a logistics network supporting violent extremist groups operating across Plateau and Nasarawa.

North East: Containing ISWAP/JAS Activity

In Borno State, troops of 19 Brigade in Cross Kauwa foiled an infiltration attempt by ISWAP/JAS militants from the Alagarno–Mallum Karamti axis, forcing the terrorists to flee and abandon 95 rounds of 12.7x108mm ammunition.

Meanwhile, in Damasak, 145 Battalion recovered an AK-47 rifle stolen from a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) member after repelling a coordinated terrorist assault.

In joint operations with the DSS, 195 Battalion arrested a notorious ISWAP ransom collector and two logistics suppliers at Dowoshi, Kukawa LGA, seizing food items and other support materials.

Additionally, troops at Molai, along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road, recovered:

• ₦4.77 million in cash
• Two bicycles, two solar lamps, and six mobile phones with chargers—believed to be property of fleeing insurgents.

These actions reflect a strengthened intelligence network across the northeast counter-insurgency theatre.

North West: Disrupting Bandit Networks and Kidnapping Cells

In the North West, troops from 3 Brigade (Kano) and 4 Brigade (Edo) successfully rescued 14 kidnapped victims in coordinated actions.

Elsewhere, Operation Whirl Stroke and Operation Enduring Peace units made multiple arrests linked to kidnapping, cattle rustling, and terrorist collaboration across Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Kaduna States.

In Kajuru, Kaduna State, a joint team from 312 Artillery Regiment and the Defence Special Operations Force engaged terrorists, recovering a submachine gun, seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, and rescuing an additional hostage.

In Sokoto, troops apprehended 69 suspected drug traffickers, handing them to the NDLEA for prosecution, and arrested five terrorist collaborators in follow-up sweeps.

South East and South-South: Targeting Secessionist and Oil-Theft Networks

In the South East, 143 Battalion neutralized an IPOB/ESN hideout at Umudi Forest, Umunneochi LGA (Abia State), arresting two suspects and disrupting the cell’s communication infrastructure.

In Benue State, Operation Whirl Stroke troops destroyed another insurgent camp at Gbagir, recovering:

• One motorcycle
• Two customized vehicle plate numbers
• One mobile phone

In the South-South, 181 Amphibious Battalion (Delta State) intercepted a vehicle carrying 10 drums (≈2,500 litres) of illegally refined condensate, while 343 Artillery Regiment (Rivers State) seized a boat carrying 840 litres of illegally refined kerosene (DPK) and arrested one suspect.

These actions form part of the Nigerian Army’s renewed campaign to dismantle economic sabotage networks linked to oil theft and militant financing.

Results and Key Recoveries

Across all operations conducted between October 16–19, the Army recorded:

• 88 arrests, including terrorists, collaborators, drug dealers, and ransom agents
• 4 rifles (AK-47 & G3) and 1 revolver pistol recovered
• 1,198 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 95 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition
• ₦4.77 million cash seized
• Multiple vehicles, motorcycles, communication tools, and logistics items confiscated

These achievements mark one of the Army’s most successful operational weeks in Q4 2025, cutting across both kinetic and intelligence-driven missions.

Institutional Message and Civil Engagement

The Nigerian Army Headquarters reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining operational pressure on terrorist elements and criminal networks nationwide.

Citizens were urged to remain vigilant and share credible intelligence on suspicious activity to support continuing operations. The military emphasized that community cooperation remains central to sustaining long-term peace.

Assessment

The Army’s synchronized nationwide offensive highlights significant progress in inter-agency coordination, rapid response, and intelligence exploitation. The reduction in operational silos between regions reflects a maturing command structure under the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s joint theatre system.

The crackdown also showcases Nigeria’s evolving model of multi-domain operations, blending land, intelligence, and civil–military engagement to disrupt diverse threat networks.

African Security Analysis (ASA) network stands ready to support Nigerian defence operations through:

• Threat mapping and predictive analytics to anticipate terrorist migration patterns.
• Operational risk assessments for troop deployment zones.
• Community-sentiment monitoring to identify early indicators of radicalization or insurgent recruitment.
• Strategic advisory for integrating AI and satellite data into real-time mission planning.

Through sustained partnership, ASA can reinforce Nigeria’s capability to move from reactive operations to proactive security dominance, supporting national stability and regional security objectives.