Military Operations Deal Major Blow to Terrorist Networks Across Northern Nigeria
In a major counter-insurgency push, Nigerian troops have launched coordinated operations across the North, delivering decisive blows to terrorist networks and rescuing dozens of civilians. Operations spanning Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara states saw the military neutralize insurgents, arrest collaborators, and seize large caches of weapons, ammunition, and stolen crude oil. According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, the raids took place between April 10 and 14, targeting known insurgent hideouts in Konduga, Kukawa, Abadam, and Mobbar in Borno, and Gujba in Yobe. “Our troops, working in synergy with other security agencies and hybrid forces, successfully neutralized several terrorists, arrested others, and rescued kidnapped civilians,” he said. In the Northwest, airstrikes in Zamfara State led to the death of a key terrorist commander. “A terrorist kingpin, Bello Kaura, was neutralized in an air interdiction. Troops also rescued 17 kidnapped victims,” Kangye added. Operations extended into Kaduna State, where credible intelligence led to the arrest of 13 suspected terrorists and a gunrunner in Giwa, Chikun, and Gusau. In Plateau, troops cleared several hotspots including Barkin Ladi, Jos South, and Mangu, rescuing 21 kidnapped victims and arresting eight suspected criminals. “We are committed to taking the battle to the enemy to deny them freedom of action,” Kangye emphasized. “Our goal is to make them thirst for surrender.” The military also recorded significant gains in the South-South, where over 117,000 litres of stolen crude oil and thousands of litres of illegally refined products were recovered. Troops destroyed 102 illegal refining ovens, 94 dugout pits, and dismantled over 40 criminal refining sites. Recovered items included speedboats, vehicles, pumping machines, and motorcycles. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intensified air raids in Borno State. “Air interdictions were conducted at terrorist strongholds in the Sambisa general area and Southern Tumbuns on April 15,” said NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Ejodame. “The strikes resulted in the destruction of key terrorist infrastructure and neutralization of fighters.” Amid these military gains, civil groups are demanding more proactive governance. The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) condemned the resurgence of violence, particularly in Plateau State. “The killings are senseless and unacceptable,” said Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group's National Coordinator. “These are not isolated incidents—they represent a broader collapse of security across the North. The government’s weak response has emboldened attackers.” CNG further criticized President Tinubu for being absent during a critical moment. “It’s a case of Nero fiddling while Rome burns,” Charanchi said. “We demand immediate action, reinforced security deployments in flashpoints, and the prosecution of those behind the killings—including their sponsors.” In a gesture of compassion, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) donated relief materials to victims in Bokkos, Plateau State, following deadly attacks earlier in April. “These items are an expression of our deepest concern, genuine love, and care for all of you,” said CAN Vice President, Rev. Stephen Panya-Baba, during the presentation of food, toiletries, and building materials. Despite persistent challenges, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, assured the public of the military’s commitment. “These recent attacks will not break our resolve,” he said in a statement. “Our troops are more determined than ever, even in the face of adversity.”
In a major counter-insurgency push, Nigerian troops have launched coordinated operations across the North, delivering decisive blows to terrorist networks and rescuing dozens of civilians. Operations spanning Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara states saw the military neutralize insurgents, arrest collaborators, and seize large caches of weapons, ammunition, and stolen crude oil.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, the raids took place between April 10 and 14, targeting known insurgent hideouts in Konduga, Kukawa, Abadam, and Mobbar in Borno, and Gujba in Yobe. “Our troops, working in synergy with other security agencies and hybrid forces, successfully neutralized several terrorists, arrested others, and rescued kidnapped civilians,” he said.
In the Northwest, airstrikes in Zamfara State led to the death of a key terrorist commander. “A terrorist kingpin, Bello Kaura, was neutralized in an air interdiction. Troops also rescued 17 kidnapped victims,” Kangye added.
Operations extended into Kaduna State, where credible intelligence led to the arrest of 13 suspected terrorists and a gunrunner in Giwa, Chikun, and Gusau. In Plateau, troops cleared several hotspots including Barkin Ladi, Jos South, and Mangu, rescuing 21 kidnapped victims and arresting eight suspected criminals. “We are committed to taking the battle to the enemy to deny them freedom of action,” Kangye emphasized. “Our goal is to make them thirst for surrender.”
The military also recorded significant gains in the South-South, where over 117,000 litres of stolen crude oil and thousands of litres of illegally refined products were recovered. Troops destroyed 102 illegal refining ovens, 94 dugout pits, and dismantled over 40 criminal refining sites. Recovered items included speedboats, vehicles, pumping machines, and motorcycles.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) intensified air raids in Borno State. “Air interdictions were conducted at terrorist strongholds in the Sambisa general area and Southern Tumbuns on April 15,” said NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Ejodame. “The strikes resulted in the destruction of key terrorist infrastructure and neutralization of fighters.”
Amid these military gains, civil groups are demanding more proactive governance. The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) condemned the resurgence of violence, particularly in Plateau State. “The killings are senseless and unacceptable,” said Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group’s National Coordinator. “These are not isolated incidents—they represent a broader collapse of security across the North. The government’s weak response has emboldened attackers.”
CNG further criticized President Tinubu for being absent during a critical moment. “It’s a case of Nero fiddling while Rome burns,” Charanchi said. “We demand immediate action, reinforced security deployments in flashpoints, and the prosecution of those behind the killings—including their sponsors.”
In a gesture of compassion, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) donated relief materials to victims in Bokkos, Plateau State, following deadly attacks earlier in April. “These items are an expression of our deepest concern, genuine love, and care for all of you,” said CAN Vice President, Rev. Stephen Panya-Baba, during the presentation of food, toiletries, and building materials.
Despite persistent challenges, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, assured the public of the military’s commitment. “These recent attacks will not break our resolve,” he said in a statement. “Our troops are more determined than ever, even in the face of adversity.”
