Troops Rescue 117 Hostages, Arrest 150 Suspected Criminals In 1 Week

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday disclosed that troops on internal operations rescued 117 hostages and arrested 150 suspected criminals in one week.

Among those arrested include suspected terrorists, wanted crime suspects and suspected oil thieves in series of operations across the country.

A statement by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye said troops renewed operational strategy have allowed farmers to carry out farming activities unhindered.

Kangye added that such effort will be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.

In the North-East geopolitical region, the director said troops arrested 11 terrorists’ collaborators, rescued five hostages, while one terrorist fighter belonging to Abu Ayuba syndicate surrendered to troops in Kwayari Village in Kaga local government area of Borno State on 20 August, 2025.

He said troops in the North East recovered ammunition, logistics items, illicit drugs, PMS, vehicles, motorcycles and the sum of N70,050.00 while some IEDs were safely detonated in Abadam, Gwoza and Mobbar LGAs of the State.

In the North-West zone, Kangye said troops arrested 35 terrorists and rescued 76 hostages.

The Director said the troops recovered arms, ammunition, motorcycle and the sum of N321,000.00 from the arrested suspects.

Relatedly in the North-Central, troops arrested 49 suspected criminals and rescued 36 hostages.

According to General Kangye, the troops recovered weapons, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, boefeng radio and the sum of N89, 400 cash.

In the same vein, troops in the South-East arrested nine suspected IPOB/ESN members in Okigwe, and Enugu South LGAs of Imo and Enugu States as well as Ohafia and Ihiala LGAs of Abia and Anambra States respectively.

Meanwhile, in the South-South, he said troops arrested 48 criminal suspects comprising 33 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 12 illegal refining sites.

Kangye said troops recovered stolen products worth N443, 153,650.00 in the operation.

He gave the breakdown of recovered products to include 294,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 188,450 litres of diesel.

During the operation, troops also discovered and destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 8 boats and 16 storage tanks.

Other items recovered include pumping machines, mobile phones, three tricycles as well as four vehicles.

Thirty-three (33) oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.

Kangye concluded that troops also arrested 13 suspected criminals and recued two kidnap victims in Sapele, Aniocha North and Ughelli LGAs of Delta State as well as Ahoada and Onelga LGAs of Rivers State within the period.