No fewer than 74 terrorist bodies were recovered by the Nigerian Army following intensified operations in the North-East, where troops successfully neutralized insurgents and thwarted complex attacks.
The Defence Headquarters reported that soldiers of Operation Hadin Kai killed numerous terrorists and prevented a drone-assisted assault during operations conducted between March 13 and March 19.
Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said follow-up operations led to the recovery of 74 bodies and a large cache of weapons, including 38 AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, and an RPG tube.
Troops also repelled a major terrorist attack in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno, killing dozens of fighters, including senior commanders. Additional infiltration attempts across Bama, Gujba, and Kaga were thwarted, while key logistics suppliers and informants were arrested. Coordinated air and ground operations further neutralized threats in Baga, Damboa, Buratai, and Njimtilo, significantly degrading ISWAP capabilities.
Onoja added that gunrunners were intercepted in Taraba, with ammunition, cash, and motorcycles recovered. Troops also rescued abducted victims in Plateau and Benue and disrupted illegal mining activities in the FCT and surrounding areas.
In the Niger Delta, operations under Operation Delta Safe targeted oil theft and criminal activities. Troops uncovered illegal refining sites, seized over 3,000 litres of stolen petroleum, and arrested suspects involved in kidnapping, drug trafficking, and other crimes across Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka led to the neutralization of suspected terrorists and recovery of improvised explosive devices in Imo, as well as arrests of suspected cultists and seizure of weapons in Ebonyi and Cross River.
Maj.-Gen. Onoja emphasized that these successes demonstrate the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting citizens, critical infrastructure, and maintaining law and order across the country.
