The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Thursday said they saved the country N7.4billion worth of crude oil products between January and March this year.
Defence Headquarters (DHQ), the tri-serve headers of Nigerian military, also disclosed that many terrorists commanders were killed by the troops during the same period.
Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, told journalists in Abuja during an update on operations of the AFN against terrorists and economic saboteurs that in the quarter, “many terrorist commanders such as Abba Allai (aka Amirul Khalid of Alafa), Abdullahi (aka Honour), Jagaban and Dan Danger amongst others were neutralized, Abdullahi Ali who was captured alive with severe gun wounds, while this efforts by our gallant troops created gaps in the command and leadership structures of BHTs as well as ISWAP/JAS terrorists.
“There were also infighting for supremacy within the ranks of the various terrorist factions, which sparked cracks in their leadership hierarchy, hence the observed confusion in their various camps.
“Our gallant troops exploited the situation and dealt decisively with them on various fronts, hence their resort to attack on soft targets and the use of IEDs and isolated ambushes.
‘The sustained operations against the terrorists also led to the arrest of scores of them, rescue of kidnapped hostages as well as surrendering of many to our troops, he said.
General Kangye went on to say that, “Some gunrunners and terrorists’ logistics suppliers such as Alhaji Mansur Mohammed, Shehu Babangida, Sagi David, Blessing Paul, Shuaibu Maji were also arrested.”
On crude oil thieves, the Director said: “During the Quarter, Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over Seven Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Naira (7,428,648,246.00) only.
“The breakdown indicates: 6,290,437 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,319,350 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,130 litres of DPK and 4,545 litres of PMS. “Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 257 crude oil cooking ovens, 128 dugout pits, 192 boats, 138 storage tanks, 236 drums and 122 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include; barge, speedboats, pumping machines, drilling machines, and over 90 vehicles.
“Relatedly, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and IEDs. Additionally, huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also recovered.”
The spokesman also reeled out successes recorded by the soldiers in the last one week saying: “In the last one week, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week: Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists.
“On 27 and 29 March 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught on them by our gallant troops.
“Offensive Operations.Between 27 March – 1 April 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance operations in Bama, Gwoza, Kaga and Konduga LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized and others apprehended. They also recovered Ak47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, as well as assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“In a well-coordinated operation from 27 March – 2 April 2025, troops intercepted 11 terrorists’ logistics suppliers. They recovered locally fabricated guns, cartridges, mobile phones, vehicles, motorcycles bicycles, food items and the sum of N149,980.00 only.
“On 27 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, came under terrorists’ attack in Maiduguri Metropolitan Municipal Council of Borno State. The troops successfully repelled the attack, neutralized several of them and recovered some weapons.
“In a related development, our men while on fighting patrol encountered IEDs planted by terrorists in Abadam LGA of Borno State and successfully detonated them on 29 March 2025”, Kangye stated.
He stated that all the theatres of military operations across the country were active and sustained the onslaught against terrorists and economic saboteurs.
He assured Nigerians that the country’s soldiers were ever ready to protect the country and its citizens.