The Defence Headquarters has announced significant successes in the ongoing fight against terrorism and criminal activities across Nigeria, following coordinated military operations conducted between June 25 and 26, 2025. These operations, spanning multiple regions including the North East, North West, North Central, and South South, led to the neutralization of several terrorists, including the notorious terror leader Mai Dada, and the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, troops under Operation Fasan Yama, particularly the 1 Brigade in Zamfara State, killed Mai Dada during a counterattack in Maru Local Government Area. “In a well planned and executed operations across various theatres, the Armed Force of Nigeria in conjunction with other security agencies recorded significant successes in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminal activities across the country, with the recovery of arms, ammunition, and arrest of several suspects between 25 and 26 June 2025,” Kangye said.
Okay.ng reports that in Edo State, security forces arrested a criminal suspect in Etsako Central LGA who was found in possession of a pump-action gun and cutlasses. Similarly, in Kaduna State, soldiers from the 2 Battalion, while on escort duty in Birnin Gwari, repelled an ambush by armed men on motorcycles and recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds.
In the North East, troops from the Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by air units from the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, conducted a fighting patrol in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. They recovered 408 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 1,200 rounds of 7.62mm bullets, and two 40mm RPG bombs along a known insurgent withdrawal route.
Further operations in Borno by the 21 Special Armoured Brigade led to the killing of three terrorists in a raid on a hideout in Bama LGA. The troops seized a Dane gun and destroyed structures used to support insurgent activities. Additionally, Sector 3 troops in Monguno intercepted a vehicle suspected of carrying terrorist logistics, arresting one suspect and recovering various supplies including 65 litres of petrol, bags of rice, groundnuts, fertilizer, yam tubers, motorcycle headlights, solar lights, empty cement bags, solar panels, and a mobile phone.
In Benue State, Operation Whirl Stroke troops stationed at Jooter/Kyado engaged kidnappers along the Peykia–Wukari Road in Ukum LGA, rescuing five victims after the abductors fled into the bush. The troops also recovered one vehicle abandoned by the kidnappers.
In the South South region, 5 Battalion troops arrested two suspects in Otueke, Bayelsa State, who were found with locally made pistols and 9mm ammunition. In Edo State, a suspect was arrested with a pump-action rifle and cutlasses in Etsako Central LGA.
Lastly, troops of Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven conducted offensive operations in several villages in Bokkos LGA, Plateau State. Utilizing UAV drone technology, they recovered a Dane gun abandoned by criminals who fled upon sighting the troops.
These coordinated efforts underscore the Nigerian military’s commitment to restoring peace and security in troubled regions, as they continue to dismantle terrorist networks and criminal gangs across the country.
