•As CDS urges Nigerians to see military as partners
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that 6,260 terrorists have been killed while 14,138 terrorists and other criminals were apprehended in joint military operations across the country in the past two years.
Deputy Director Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, revealed this, while giving an overview of military operations in two years, at the expanded parley with Media executives in Abuja, yesterday.
The parley was held to mark the two years in office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa and other service chiefs.
Abu-Mawashi said the troops of the armed forces also rescued 5,365 kidnapped victims and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in different operations within the period.
Giving details of military successes in each of the region, he said the troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region recovered N83 billion worth of stolen crude oil.
Abu-Mawashi said the troops also killed 103 criminals, apprehended 2,760 others and rescued 266 civilians from the kidnappers’ den.
In the North East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai intensified operations resulting in the killing of 1,246 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, while 2,467 of them were arrested within the period.
According to him, the troops rescued 1,920 civilians, recovered 982 arms and 2,153 ammunition in the Northeast.
In the North West, Abu-Mawashi said the troops of Operation Fasan Yamma killed 1,374 bandits, including their top commanders in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states .
“They also arrested 2,160 bandits and rescued 3,288 hostages from bandits enclaves. The arms and ammunition recovered are 947 weapons and 25,802 rounds, respectively,” he added.
The defence spokesman said troops on operations in the North-Central, killed 730 terrorists, bandits and violent extremists, and arrested 7,153 violent extremists.
He said that a total of 1,510 civilians were rescued, while 1,065 weapons and 19,709 rounds were recovered.
In the South East, Abu-Mawashi said the troops of operation UDO KA had in the past two years eliminated 440 terrorists while 1,677 criminals were arrested.
According to him, the troops also rescued 294 civilians and recovered 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds of ammunition.
“Finally, Joint Task Force South West killed 80 criminals and arrested 1,763 others, while they rescued 89 kidnap victims.
“Troops recovered 143 weapons, and 177,904 rounds of ammunition,” he added.
In his remarks, the Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the event marked a significant milestone in their collective efforts to address and mitigate the complex security challenges confronting the nation.
Gusau said the programme was conceived in alignment with one of the leadership philosophies of the CDS, which is “leading a people-centric armed forces”.
He pledged the commitment of the military to ensuring that the Nigerian public remains accurately and adequately informed about the activities, achievements and sacrifices of the armed forces.
Meanwhile, the CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa has urged Nigerians to see the military as a partner in progress and not an occupying force or alien to the people it is meant to serve and protect.
According to him, historically the relationship between the military and the civilian population has, at times been characterized by suspicion, fear, and mistrust.
“This unfortunate legacy has often hampered our ability to effectively work together, particularly in times of crisis or national emergency.
“The military has been seen not as a partner in progress, but as an occupying force, alien to the people it is meant to serve and protect,” he said.
He noted that even though the perception had existed for a while, concerted efforts must be made from both the military and the larger society to change it.
According to him, the reality is that the Armed Forces of Nigeria are a constitutionally established institution, deeply rooted in democratic principles and accountable to the Nigerian people.
He said the conference was not a one-off event but a strategic initiative, conceptualised to become an annual platform for honest engagement, thoughtful reflection, and practical collaboration.
“The overarching goal is to win hearts and minds and shift from a purely kinetic, force-based approach to one that prioritizes trust-building, respect for human rights, and community partnership.
“It challenges us to think beyond weapons and warfare. It calls on us to invest in human security, to build resilient communities, and to reinforce the idea that every Nigerian, whether in uniform or not, has a stake in the peace and prosperity of our great nation,” he said.