The Nigerian military has reported significant successes in its nationwide counter-terrorism and counter-banditry operations for the year 2025. The armed forces neutralised a total of 2,351 terrorists and rescued 2,336 kidnapped victims through coordinated air and ground campaigns.
Sustained Air Campaign Yields Major Results
According to a statement released by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was instrumental in these achievements. The service conducted 274 Air Interdiction missions across 379 combat sorties, specifically targeting terrorist strongholds, logistics hubs, and training camps.
These precision air strikes, which accumulated approximately 800 flight hours, disrupted enemy supply chains and severed critical mobility routes. Air Commodore Ejodame emphasized that the campaign degraded leadership structures linking terrorist enclaves across the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, denying hostile elements freedom of movement.
"Beyond the immediate neutralisation of terrorist fighters, the air interdiction campaign delivered decisive operational effects," Ejodame stated. He noted that these effects enabled ground forces to advance, reclaim contested territories, and stabilise vulnerable communities.
Army's Ground Operations in the North-West
Complementing the air efforts, the Nigerian Army recorded substantial gains in the North-West theatre. Major General Ibikunle Ajose, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, disclosed these achievements during the West African Social Activities (WASA) celebration in Sokoto.
Troops under his command rescued 1,023 kidnapped victims in the region. They also recovered a large cache of arms and assets, including:
- 189 AK-47 rifles
- 4,338 rounds of assorted ammunition
- 305 motorcycles used by bandits
- 4,123 stolen livestock
Major General Ajose described the campaign as "challenging but eventful," crediting the successes to the troops' dedication and the strategic leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu. He stated that these operations have boosted economic confidence, allowing farmers and residents to resume their livelihoods with less fear.
Decapitation of Terrorist Leadership
In a broader year-end review, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, provided further details. He confirmed that military operations, in conjunction with other security stakeholders, led to the neutralisation of no fewer than 20 high-profile terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers.
Among the eliminated commanders were notorious figures such as Aminu Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Bello Buba, and Halilu Sabubu. Others included bandit leaders known by pseudo names like Dosso, Suleiman, and Danja.
Overall, the military arrested 4,375 suspects nationwide, while 1,616 individuals and their family members surrendered to authorities.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, reaffirmed the military's resolve to maintain relentless pressure on all threats to national security. Similarly, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Mohammed Jibia, Commander of the 8 Division Garrison, pledged to sustain the operational momentum for lasting peace in the North-West.
