The Armed Forces of Nigeria has recorded significant gains across multiple theatres of operation in August, eliminating key terrorist commanders, rescued kidnapped victims, and foiled crude oil theft worth more than ₦545 million.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday. He said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, intensified joint operations nationwide to neutralize threats, restore stability, and safeguard lives and property.
According to him, troops killed notorious terrorist leaders including Adamu Buba, popularly known as Mai-Pankshin, who had been terrorising Riyom in Plateau State, and Abdullahi Abubakar, who operated around Rafiki village in Bassa. Troops also arrested kidnappers in Kogi, gunrunners in Kaduna, and other criminals across different locations. He revealed that in the North East, coordinated ground and air offensives against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States led to the killing of several fighters, the arrest of their collaborators and suppliers, and the rescue of abducted civilians. In the North West, troops launched major offensives in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna States, killed and arrested terrorists and freed kidnapped victims. A suspected terrorist was also arrested in Niger State with arms, ammunition, a motorcycle and cash in his possession.
In the North Central region, soldiers neutralized terrorists in parts of Plateau and Kaduna, arrested criminals, and rescued victims, while further operations in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi and even the FCT resulted in the arrest of extremists and kidnappers as well as the rescue of hostages. In Plateau, a suspected kidnapper was caught while attempting to withdraw ₦3 million ransom through a POS operator.
The Defence Spokesman noted that troops in the South-South sustained the tempo against oil thieves, preventing losses of over ₦545 million through the interception of stolen crude and petroleum products, while destroying scores of illegal refining sites and arresting suspects. He added that a further ₦28.8 million worth of stolen products was intercepted in follow-up raids.
In the South East, Kangye disclosed that troops stormed terrorist hideouts in Anambra, Imo and Abia States. They uncovered camps with banners bearing inscriptions such as National Research and Production, Biafra Province Government and Biafra Military Depot. The facilities were destroyed, while weapons, motorcycles and explosive devices were recovered.
The briefing also addressed the recent protest by discharged soldiers over gratuity and Security Debarment Allowance. Kangye clarified that entitlements are strictly calculated based on the salary chart effective on the date of retirement. He explained that those who retired before the implementation of the new minimum wage in July 2024 fall under the previous chart, while those who retired after fall under the revised one. While acknowledging their right to protest, he urged the veterans to exercise caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance so as not to obstruct government business.
Major General Kangye therefore reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining internal security. He commended the gallantry and sacrifices of troops across the country, stressed that their efforts are yielding results and that the military remains resolute in sustaining the momentum for peace and stability.
