Nigerian Army Debunks Security Lapses as Fresh Offensive Neutralizes 8 Terrorists, Arrests 51, Rescues 27 Nationwide

The Nigerian Army has pushed back against claims of deteriorating security, announcing a sweeping nationwide operation that neutralized eight terrorists, led to 51 arrests, rescued 27 victims and yielded major arms recoveries across multiple states between 29 November and 1 December 2025.

In the North East, troops of the 151 and 152 Task Force Battalions, alongside the 192 Battalion in Borno State, eliminated four ISWAP/JAS terrorists during ambush and clearance operations. The troops recovered an assortment of weapons including three AK-47 rifles, four loaded magazines, over 400 rounds of various calibres and a Baofeng radio. Although no victims were rescued in this theatre, troops foiled infiltration attempts around Chibok.

Across Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna and Delta States, troops under Operations WHIRL STROKE and ENDURING PEACE rescued 20 victims, including adult females, minors and kidnap victims. Arrests in this axis included suspected kidnappers, human traffickers, extremist collaborators, illegal miners, cultists and a gunrunner—part of the 51 total suspects apprehended nationwide. In Bayelsa and Rivers, coordinated operations with NDLEA led to the arrest of 25 drug-related suspects.

Troops neutralized four violent extremists in Taraba and recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle, three Dane guns, ammunition and motorcycles. They also recovered 76 rustled cattle in Plateau State, returning them to their rightful owners.

In the South-South, an illegal refining site containing about 1,000 litres of stolen crude was shut down, while joint raids continued to disrupt oil theft and drug networks. In Kaduna, security forces intercepted vehicles carrying 5,000kg of gelatine explosives, 3,000m of cordtex fuse, detonators and connecting wires—triggering further investigations.

A major breakthrough came with the arrest of notorious gunrunner Shuaibu Isah (aka Alhaji), caught attempting to take delivery of 1,000 rounds of ammunition from accomplices still under pursuit.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to securing all parts of the country, insisting that terrorists, criminals and their collaborators will continue to face sustained pressure with no safe haven.