Abuja: The Defence Headquarters reports that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised dozens of terrorists, including senior commanders, and foiled a complex drone-assisted attack during intensified operations in the North-East.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while giving updates on military activities between March 13 and March 19.
Onoja stated that troops repelled a major assault in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several fighters and commanders. Follow-up exploitation operations recovered 74 terrorist bodies and seized a cache of arms, including 38 AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, and an RPG tube.
He added that troops thwarted multiple infiltration attempts across key locations, arresting logistics suppliers and informants. Coordinated operations also degraded ISWAP’s capabilities in several towns.
Beyond the North-East, troops intercepted suspected gunrunners in Taraba, recovering ammunition, cash, and motorcycles. In the North-West, forces under Operation Fansan Yamma recorded breakthroughs in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kebbi, rescuing kidnapped victims and disrupting criminal networks. In Shinkafi, Zamfara, terrorists were neutralised, and arms recovered, while in Katsina, four kidnap victims were freed. In Kaduna, troops foiled the abduction of a cleric, forcing attackers to flee.
Onoja highlighted that troops arrested a female ammunition courier in Kano with 884 rounds, underscoring efforts to dismantle logistics networks.
Turning to the North-Central, troops under Operations Savannah Shield and Enduring Peace arrested suspected terrorists and couriers in Kwara, Plateau, and Nasarawa, rescued abducted victims in Plateau and Benue, and disrupted illegal mining in the FCT and adjoining areas.
In the Niger Delta region, Operation Delta Safe intensified its crackdown on oil theft, uncovering illegal bunkering sites and intercepting large quantities of stolen petroleum products. Arrests were made in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers for kidnapping, illegal refining, and drug trafficking. Troops dismantled refining sites, seized thousands of litres of illegally refined products, and intercepted vehicles and boats conveying stolen fuel.
In the South-East, troops under Operation Udo Ka neutralised suspected terrorists and recovered improvised explosive devices in Imo State. Clearance operations also led to arrests of suspected cultists and the recovery of weapons in Ebonyi and Cross River.
Maj.-Gen. Onoja emphasised that these successes demonstrate the Armed Forces’ resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure citizens’ safety nationwide.
