The Defence Headquarters has released data of its successes in March, detailing significant gains by the Nigerian Armed Forces across various frontlines.
According to the figures posted on its social media handles, the Defence Headquarters said a total of 197 insurgents surrendered to troops within the period under review, indicating sustained pressure on armed groups and ongoing efforts to encourage defections.
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The military also recorded the arrest of 1,359 suspects, comprising terrorists, criminals, illegal miners, and informants. This, PREMIUM TIMES understands, reflects intensified intelligence-led operations and coordinated raids nationwide.
In addition, the Defence Headquarters said troops killed 103 terrorists and other criminals, including identified ring leaders such as “Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago, and Ba Alayi Benbeng.”
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It noted that these operations targeted key figures believed to be responsible for orchestrating violent attacks.
On the humanitarian front, 813 kidnapped hostages were rescued. The report further revealed that 104 illegal refining sites and related infrastructure were destroyed, as part of ongoing crackdowns on oil theft and environmental crimes in the Niger Delta.
Recovered items during the operations included 216,570 litres of illegally refined petroleum products and 254 weapons, ammunition, and other supplies, pointing to the scale of illicit activities disrupted by the military.
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Since the start of the year, the Defence Headquarters has consistently propagated troops’ operational gains—a strategy also widely adopted by terror groups across the Sahel, including those operating in Nigeria.
In a scorecard released in January, it said troops rescued 277 kidnapped victims, including some foreign nationals, while 53 illegal refining sites were destroyed. In the Niger Delta, security forces recovered 210,300 litres of crude oil, 66,725 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 5,000 litres of refined petroleum products.
By February, the momentum had further intensified. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Defence Headquarters recorded 354 arrests involving terrorists and illegal miners, while 409 kidnapped victims were rescued across the country.
During the same period, 32 illegal refining sites were dismantled, and large quantities of stolen petroleum products were recovered, including 144,050 litres of crude oil and 31,601 litres of AGO, along with cash seizures.
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