The Defence Headquarters has announced that the Nigerian Armed Forces killed 10,937 terrorists, arrested 12,538 suspects, and rescued 7,063 kidnapped hostages across various operations in 2024.
The comprehensive year-end briefing was delivered on Tuesday, 31 December 2024 by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, in Abuja.
Buba disclosed that the military’s operations significantly degraded the operational and fighting capabilities of terrorist groups.
“During the course of the year, troops eliminated over a thousand notable terrorist leaders, commanders, and combatants,” he stated.
According to Buba, the military’s crackdown on economic sabotage resulted in the recovery of ₦68 billion worth of stolen crude oil and the destruction of 2,612 illegal refining sites.
Troops recovered 56.2 million litres of crude oil, 9.7 million litres of illegally refined diesel, and thousands of litres of other petroleum products.
Highlighting recovered arms, Buba stated, “Troops recovered 8,815 weapons, 228,004 rounds of ammunition, including 4,332 AK-47 rifles and 1,244 locally fabricated guns.”
Regional Operations
Operation Hadarin Daji (North-West)
In the North-West, 2,906 terrorists were eliminated, 1,826 suspects arrested, and 2,616 hostages rescued. Troops also recovered 1,450 AK-47 rifles and 31,999 rounds of ammunition. Rival clashes among terrorist groups, triggered by military pressure, led to the deaths of several commanders.
Buba said, “Notable terrorist leaders eliminated include Isiya Boderi, Alhaji Kabiru, Lawali Gudau, and Buhari Alhaji Halidu.”
Operation Hadin Kai (North-East)
In the North-East, troops wiped out 3,151 terrorists, while 16,171 Boko Haram members and their families surrendered. Troops also arrested 2,503 suspects and rescued 1,605 hostages in key operations targeting the Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad Basin.
Several terrorist commanders, including Amir Garin Manzo and Abu Rijab, were taken out. Troops recovered 3,002 weapons and over 71,000 rounds of ammunition.
Other Operations
Operation Whirl Stroke in North-Central defeated 600 terrorists, arrested 1,006 suspects, and rescued 688 hostages.
Operation Safe Haven crushed 447 extremists and restored peace in Plateau State and its environs.
Operation Whirl Punch dealt with 742 terrorists and arrested 1,877 suspects.
Buba expressed optimism about the coming year, stating, “Troops’ offensive posture will lead to the total defeat of terrorists and violent extremists in 2025.”
