Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday announced that troops deployed in various theatres of operation across the country recorded significant successes in the ongoing fight against terrorists, kidnappers, cultists, illegal oil refiners, and other criminal elements.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, the coordinated offensives led to the neutralization of several terrorists, the arrest of multiple suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and recovery of a cache of arms, ammunition, vehicles, and other logistics items.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing in Abuja, Kangye disclosed that troops arrested a high-profile kidnapper, Saawuan Wuaiyolna, who is on the wanted list in Benue State. Wuaiyolna is said to be a member of a notorious criminal gang led by one Akiki Utivial, also known as Full Fire, operating in the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. He was apprehended on September 17, 2025.
In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai sustained momentum against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS fighters. Operations in Kaga, Kukawa, Monguno, and Ngala LGAs of Borno State, as well as Mubi South, Mubi North, and Nguru LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa States, resulted in the arrest of 26 terrorist collaborators, informants, and sympathizers. Troops also recovered vehicles, motorcycles, fabrics, IED-making materials, and other logistics items.
“Troops in conjunction with the Air Component, Hybrid forces, and local security groups conducted aggressive operations across the theatre. Their efforts eliminated several terrorists, dismantled networks, recovered weapons, and supported safe resettlement of displaced persons,” Kangye said.
He added that troops also conducted covert operations in other regions. In Niger State, a notorious terrorist, Mallam Abubakar Ahmadu, was arrested along with two accomplices in Paiko LGA on September 17, 2025. Similarly, two kidnappers’ informants were arrested in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State on September 22, while four suspected terrorists were apprehended in Bagudu LGA of Kebbi State on September 21.
During these encounters, troops eliminated some terrorists, rescued 14 kidnapped victims, and recovered arms and ammunition.
Kangye stressed that the series of joint operations were designed to dismantle terrorists’ networks, deny criminal gangs sanctuaries, and cut off economic lifelines of saboteurs, thereby strengthening national security and promoting stability.
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