By Helen Udo, Abuja-NIGERIA.
The Statement Reads In Part:
WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING ON THE ONGOING MILITARY OPERATIONS BY THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA FOR THE WEEK ENDING 25 SEPTEMBER 2025
OPENING REMARKS
The aim of this brief as usual is to appraise you with operational activities of the AFN during the week in focus. Our troops in conjunction with relevance security agencies conducted series of operations designed to dismantle terrorists’ network, deny bandits and other criminal gangs sanctuaries, and strangulate oxygen channels to economic saboteurs amongst others in order to enhance national security, promote stability and national interests at home and globally. The operations demonstrated our collective resolve to confront emerging threats in an ever-evolving global security landscape. Our focus is to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our duty to inform the public about the efforts and the principles guiding our actions.
- We understand the public interest in the ongoing military operations, and we are committed to providing you with timely and accurate information about our activities across all theatres. Our forces are currently engaged in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to combat specific threats, securing our citizens and provide secure environment for socio-economic activities to thrive. These operations are conducted with utmost precision and a clear focus on minimizing collateral damage and ensuring the safety of civilian population in line with our code of conduct for internal security operations, laws of armed conflict and campaign plan. Accordingly, the brief as usual, will highlight operational activities of JTF NE OPHK, JTF NW OPFY, JTF NC OPEP and OPWS, Thereafter, I shall appraise you with the operational activities of JTF SS OPDS and JTF SE OPUK. Overall, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive devices making material. Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
- The Joint Task Force North East OPERATION HADIN KAI (OPHK) during the week ending 18 – 22 September 2025, sustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action in the North East region. Our ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre. Their effort led to the elimination of several terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of their networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities. Troops conducted both kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorists in Damboa, Konduga, Gwoza, Marte, Bama, Ngazai, Chibok and Biu LGAs of Borno state as well as Bula, Nguru and Mubi North LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa State. During the encounters, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped victims.
- Relatedly, from 15 – 22 September 2025, troops conducted operations in Kaga, Kukawa, Monguno and Ngala LGAs of Borno State as well as Mubi South, Mubi North and Nguru LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa States During the
encounters, 26 terrorists collaborators, informants and terrorists sympathizers were arrested. Logistics items, large quantity of fabrics, vehicles, motorcycles and IED marking materials were also recovered. Recovered Items are in troops custody, while interrogation is ongoing.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
- Troops of OPFY sustained operational tempo throughout the week with significant activities. During fire fights, some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims rescued. For instance, from 15 – 22 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Kajuru, Giwa, Kagarko and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State. They also carried out operations in Anka and Maru LGAs of Zamfara State, while similar operations were conducted in Kankara, Kurfi and Musawa LGAs of Katsina State as well as Binji and Tangaza LGAs of Sokoto State. During these operations, several terrorists were killed, while 4 of them were arrested. Arrested terrorists are currently undergoing interrogation.
- Our gallant troops also conducted covert operations and arrested a notorious terrorists identified as Mallam Abubakar Ahmadu alongside 2 others in Paiko LGA of Niger State on 17 September 2025. Similarly, 2 kidnappers’ informants were arrested in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State on 22 September 2025. Additionally, 4 other suspected terrorists were arrested in Bagudu LGA of Kebbi State on 21 September 2025. During the encounters, troops eliminated some terrorists, recovered arms and ammunition and rescued 14 kidnapped victims.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
- During the period under review, troops of OP ENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities in some sectors. For instance, from 14 – 22 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bassa, Qua’An Pan, Riyom, Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jamaá, Kaura, Zangon Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State. During the firefights, troops killed some of the terrorists, arrested 52 criminals and rescued 9 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
- In a related development, troops raided a local weapon manufacturing factory at Heipan District in Barkin Ladi and arrested one criminal on 17 September 2025, while weapons and ammunition were recovered from the raided factory. Also, at Miyar village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State, a suspected kidnap kingpin was arrested on 23 September 2025.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
- Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded some successes in their Area of Responsibility during the week. They conducted operations
between 14 – 22 September 2025 in Guma, Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State. They also conducted operations in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State. During the operations, troops killed some criminals in action, arrested 3 suspected others, while 7 kidnapped victims were rescued. - Relatedly, troops arrested a high-profile kidnapper identified as Saawuan Wuaiyolna a member of notorious syndicate who is on the wanted list. He is believed to be a member of a criminal gang under the leadership of one Akiki Utivi also known as Full Fire in Wukari LGA of Taraba State on 17 September 2025. Additionally, between 17 – 22 September 2025, troops arrested 11 other criminals in Karim Lamido and Ardo Kola LGAs of Taraba State. Similarly, they arrested some criminals in Lokoja and Nasarawa LGAs of Kogi and Nasarawa States. In a related development, 3 kidnappers were arrested, while a kidnapped victim was rescued at Kuduru high ground in AMAC of FCT on 18 September 2025. Weapons and ammunitions were also recovered during the operation. Recovered items are in troops custody, while interrogation is ongoing.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
- In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over 19 Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira N19,750,000.00) only. The breakdown indicates; 14,760 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,720 litres of DPK and 625 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 14 crude oil cooking ovens, 7 dugout pits, 11 boats, 8 storage tanks and 16 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, 19 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
- Relatedly, between 13 – 21 September 2025, troops on offensive operation, killed some criminals in action, arrested 16 suspected and rescued 5 kidnapped victims in Ika North, Sapelle and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State as well as Obubra and Mbo LGAs of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
- In another development, from 17 – 21 September 2025, troops arrested 4 suspected criminals in Warri South and Ethiope LGAs of Deltal State as well as Yenagoa and Onna LGAs of Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom State.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
- Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. Between 17 – 23 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Njaba and Mbaitoli LGAs of Imo State as well as Bakassi and Obubra LGAs of Cross River State. They furthered their operation to Ezeagu and Orumba North LGAs of Enugu and Anambra States respectively. During these operations some terrorists/criminals were killed in action, arrested 6 of them, while 3 kidnapped victims were rescued. Weapons, ammunitions, vehicles and improvised explosive devices were recovered. CLOSING REMARKS
- In conclusion, troops of AFN remain committed to denying terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements freedom of action in the country. The success of ongoing operations is a testament to the determination and resilience of our troops, who continue to work tirelessly to secure our nation. The Defence Headquarters commends the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved in all operations and assures Nigerians of its continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of our citizens. You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public.
Signed
MARKUS KANGYE
Major General
25 September 2025 Director Defence Media Operations
