Nigeria’s Military Strikes Major Blows Against Terrorists, Oil Thieves In First Quarter 2025
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Nigerian Armed Forces have intensified their crackdown on insurgents, bandits, and oil thieves across the country, achieving significant victories in the first quarter of 2025.
From January to March, troops launched aggressive operations that neutralised high-profile terrorist leaders, rescued kidnapped victims, and disrupted criminal networks.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who disclosed this while interacting with journalists in Abuja said terrorist commanders such as Abba Allai, Abdullahi (aka Honour), and Jagaban were taken down, with one, Abdullahi Ali, captured alive.
He said the military’s onslaught triggered internal conflicts within terror factions, leading to fractures in their leadership.
Eleven terrorist logistics suppliers, including notorious gunrunners, were also arrested.
In the fight against crude oil theft, Operation Delta Safe prevented the illegal siphoning of oil worth over ₦7.4 billion.
Troops destroyed 122 illegal refining sites and confiscated thousands of liters of stolen petroleum products, dealing a major blow to oil bunkering cartels.
Across the North, operations Hadin Kai, Fasan Yamma, Whirl Punch, Safe Haven, and Whirl Stroke successfully repelled terrorist attacks, rescued over 50 kidnapped victims, and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.
In the South East, Operation Udo Ka arrested criminals and seized firearms.
As troops sustain the momentum, the military vows to uphold its constitutional duty while enforcing security across Nigeria.
