From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters(DHQ),has said that its operations against terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities have yielded positive result with the killing of a terrorists’ kingpin, known as Mai Dada during a counterattack in Maru Local Government, Zamfara State and three other states.
The operation also led to the rescue of five kidnapped persons, recovery of several arms, ammunition and arrest of several suspects.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, in a statement, said: “In a well planned and executed operations across various theatres, the Armed Force of Nigeria in conjunction with other security agencies recorded significant successes in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminal activities across the country, with the recovery of arms, ammunition and arrest of several suspects between 25 and 26 June,2025.
“Troops of the Land Component of Operation HADIN KAI from 82 Divison Task Force Battalion supported by Air Component conducted fighting patrol in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA, Borno state and recovered 408 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 1,200 rounds of 7.62mm and quantity 2 of 40mm RPG bombs along identified ISWAP/JAS withdrawal route. Similarly, troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade neutralised three terrorists during a raid in Bama LGA, recovered a dane gun and destroyed terrorist life support structures.
“In a related development, troops of Sector 3 in Monguno, Borno state, intercepted a vehicle conveying supplies suspected to be terrorist logistics supplies. One suspect was arrested, while items recovered from him include: 65 litres of PMS, four bags of rice, five bags of groundnuts, four bags of NPK fertilizer, some tubers of yam, seven motorcycle headlights, 10 solar lights, 2,000 empty cement bags, four solar panels and one mobile phone.
“In a related development in Kaduna state, troops of 2 Battalion on escort duty in Birnin Gwari recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition after engaging fleeing armed men on a motorcycle. Also, troops of 1 Brigade of Operation FASAN YAMA in Zamfara state neutralised a terrorists’ kingpin identified as Mai Dada during a counterattack in Maru LGA, while in Edo state, a suspect at Etsako Central LGA was arrested with a pump-action gun and cutlasses.
“Relatedly, troops of JTF Operation SAFE HAVEN, conducted offensive operation at TANGUR, KWAKAS, HOROP, TULUS, JINAK, and HOKK village in BOKKOS LGA of Plateau state. During the operation, troops exploited the mountainous areas in the communities with the aid of UAV/drone and recovered one dane gun abandoned by the criminals on sighting troops.
“In the North Central Theatre, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed at Jooter/Kyado, responded to information on kidnappers’ activity along Road Peykia – Wukari,Ukum LG, Benue state. Following a fire fight, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled into the bush. Troops rescued five passengers and recovered one vehicle. Similarly, Troops of 5 Battalion deployed at Otueke , Ogbia LG, Bayelsa state ,arrested two suspects in possession of two locally fabricated pistols and one round of 9 mm ammunition.”