The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Thursday, December 4, that Nigerian troops rescued 318 kidnap victims and eliminated numerous terrorists across multiple regions in November 2025.
Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, provided the update during a briefing in Abuja.
Troops conducted clearance operations, intelligence-led raids, and targeted air and maritime strikes across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East, and South-South regions. The operations led to the neutralisation of terrorists, the surrender of 69 criminal elements and their families, and the foiling of oil theft worth over N217.6 million, including the recovery of 201,700 litres of crude oil and 88,177 litres of AGO. Sixteen illegal refining sites were also dismantled.
Highlights of regional operations include: North-East (Operation HADIN KAI): Several terrorists eliminated, six collaborators arrested, five kidnap victims rescued, and terrorist camps destroyed via air support.
North-West (Operation FANSAN YAMMA): Multiple terrorists neutralised, 13 arrests, nine kidnap victims rescued, and enemy logistics destroyed. North-Central (Operations ENDURING PEACE & WHIRL STROKE): 32 suspects apprehended, multiple extremists neutralised, 20 kidnap victims rescued, arms and vehicles recovered across Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi States, and the FCT.
South-South (Operation DELTA SAFE): Oil theft worth N12.12 million stopped, four illegal refining sites destroyed, and 25 oil thieves apprehended. South-East (Operation UDOKA): Several terrorists neutralised, four arrests made, four kidnap victims rescued, and terrorist camps destroyed.
Maj.-Gen. Onoja commended the professionalism of the troops and urged Nigerians to continue providing credible information to enhance military operations. He also encouraged support for veterans through the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem launched earlier this week.