Soldiers neutralize scores of terrorists in nationwide operations, arrest 15 suspects

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Nigerian Army said its renewed offensive against terrorists, bandits criminal elements and impostors has continued to yield tremendous successes with the killing of scores of  terrorists and arrest of 15 suspects.

The army also said the operations led to the arrest of 15 criminal suspects, recovery of significant weapons and military accoutrements across multiple theatres, while five family members of terrorists surrendered to troops.

In an update of its operations, the army said troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, in Borno state, neutralized one terrorist during an ambush operation in Sabsawa general area of Bama Local Government Area (LGA), recovering one AK-47 rifle loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

In a separate encounter on 30 July 2025, troops of 192 Battalion operating along Pulka–Ngoshe road in Gwoza LGA engaged and eliminated another terrorist, capturing one AK-47 rifle and observing trails of blood along the enemy withdrawal route, indicating possible additional casualties.

It states that five family members of ISWAP/JAS terrorists comprising two adult females and three children, voluntarily surrendered to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction in Bama LGA on 29 July 2025.

Preliminary investigation revealed that they fled from Bula Daloye Village before surrendering. The individuals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further processing. In another operation, troops of 50 Task Force Battalion and 134 Special Forces Battalion laying in ambush along the Marte–Dikwa route in Dikwa LGA successfully disrupted terrorist movement and later recovered two artillery shells during exploitation.

Elsewhere, in a decisive clampdown on impersonators and criminal elements, troops of 9 Brigade arrested 12 impostors dressed in military uniforms at Ojota, Lagos State. The individuals, posing as officers and cadets of a fake corps, were caught with insignia of the Nigerian Army and Navy. Similarly, Operation SWEEP in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) apprehended an individual dressed in woodland camouflage around Waru, Abuja Municipal Area Council.

In the south east and south south, troops of 145 Battalion arrested two suspected cultists in Umuahia South LGA, Abia State, seizing two locally fabricated pistols, six cartridges, and other items during a snap checkpoint. In Rivers State, troops of 343 Artillery Regiment intercepted two wooden boats conveying eight sacks of illegally refined condensate (approximately 400 litres) in Onelga LGA. The suspects, however, fled on sighting troops.

These coordinated operations stressed the Nigerian Army’s resolve to national security and its constitutional mandate to safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation. The Nigerian Army assures citizens of its sustained efforts to rid the country of criminality and restore peace across all regions.