Soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces said they recovered over N15m cash from terrorists and their supporters in the course of operations last week.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye disclosed this on Thursday while briefing defence reporters on progress in the fight against insurgency and economic saboteurs in the various theatres of operation nationwide.
General Kangye who disclosed that soldiers saved Nigeria crude oil worth (N291,326,400.00) said the cash haul was recovered from terrorists from Plateau and Anambra states.
He announced that due to heightened military operations, farmlands were becoming safer across the country and that more people were more confident in returning to their business.
Said General Kangye: “On 9 July 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road. Suspects attempted to induce troops with monetary gratification, while they declined.
“Troops arrested 2 suspects, recovered weapons ammunitions, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000.00 from them. Investigation ongoing while recovered items in troops’ custody.”
In the second cash haul, General Kangye said: “Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. They eliminated 2 suspected IPOB/ESN members, arrested 14 of them and rescued 6 kidnapped victims in Aguata and Ihiala LGAs of Anambra State as well as Isiala-Ngwa South, Arochukwu and Okigwe LGAs of Abia and Imo States. Similarly, 2 kidnapped victims were rescued during an intelligence led operation conducted in Udi LGA of Enugu State on 14 July 2025.
“In a related development on 10 July 2025, our troops arrested an IPOB/ESN terrorists’ collaborator who was commissioned by the terrorists to collect taxes from the locals on their behalf in Ihiala LGA Anambra State. The troops recovered the sum of N1,500,000.00 from the suspect.”
General Kangye also gave details of crude oil recoveries by the soldiers, saying: “Troops also apprehended perpetrators of oil theft and rescued some kidnapped hostages. In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over Two Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred Naira (N291,326,400.00) only.
“The breakdown indicates: 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,759 litres of DPK. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 18 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums and 19 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 13 vehicles. Furthermore, 42 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.”
Other successes of note by the military during the period he further said were that: “Within the period 9 – 16 July 2025, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State.
“While conducting these operations, they contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested 12 and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them. Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN while on routine patrol arrested 7 militias/criminals in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Wamba and Sanga LGAs of Nasarawa and Kaduna States respectively.
“Items recovered from them were weapons, ammunitions and motorcycles as well as illicit drugs.
“They eliminated some extremists in Wukari, Karim Lamido, and Donga LGAs of Taraba State, as well as Ukum and Guma LGAs of Benue State. They also conducted operations in Awe, Keffi, Akwanga and Obi LGAs of Nasarawa State, as well as Yagba West, Dekina and Okene LGAs of Kogi State. During the operations, troops eliminated some terrorists, arrested 13 of them and rescued 5 kidnapped victims. They also recovered arms and ammunition, motorcycles, vehicles and large quantities substances suspected to be cannabis and illicit drugs.”
The military spokesman assured that “the Nigerian Military in collaboration with all stakeholders remain committed to the protection of our nation’s sovereignty, the security of our people, and upholding constitutional order. We are constantly guided by our operational guidelines, code of conduct for internal security operations, and the laws of armed conflict.
“As the Nigerian military strategizes to conclude these operations, I urge the public to continue to cooperate with security agencies, remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activities to appropriate authority. The support of all Nigerians, and indeed the media, is crucial to the overall mission success.”