Troops Arrest 88 Suspected Terrorists, Rescue 72 Hostages

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that a total of 88 suspected terrorists were arrested by the troops, alongside their logistics suppliers, spies and other criminal elements across the country.

A statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General Olatokunbo Bello, said the troops also rescued 72 kidnap hostages and recovered large catches of arms and ammunition within the period between 13 and 14 November, 2025.

Bello also said the troops destroyed six illegal oil refining sites, arrested five suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen products worth N15,893,579.00.

In a breakdown according to region, he said troops of Joint Task Force North East OPERATION HADIN KAI (OPHK) arrested 45 terrorist collaborators, informants, sympathisers and spies and rescued a kidnapped victim.

He added that troops also destroyed terrorist camps, recovered some quantities of arms and ammunition and vehicles, adding that recovered weapons were in the troops’ custody.
In the North-West, he said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma within the period killed scores of terrorists, arrested two suspects and rescued 13 kidnapped victims.

The director further revealed that the troops recovered weapons, vehicles, livestock and other items during their numerous clearance operations in the region.

In the North Central, he said troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested 16 suspects, and rescued five victims.

Relatedly, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also arrested 10 suspected criminals, killed others in action and rescued 48 kidnapped victims.

He added that troops also arrested two suspected gunrunners and two collaborators in Wamba and Doma LGAs of Nasarawa State and recovered some arms and ammunition, vehicles and livestock within the period.

In the Niger Delta, the director said troops arrested five suspected oil thieves and foiled theft of N15,893,579.00 worth of crude oil.

He gave a breakdown of recovered items to include 12,600 litres of stolen crude oil and 3,287 litres of AGO.

Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed six illegal refining sites, 23 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 dugout pits, 16 boats and 12 storage tanks.

In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka killed one terrorist in action and arrested seven other criminal suspects in the operations.