In a major counter-terrorism success, the Nigerian military has eliminated 92 terrorists between February 27 and March 6, 2025, as part of its ongoing operations to combat insurgency and criminal activities across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, shared this update during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, highlighting the coordinated efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
General Kangye revealed that, alongside the neutralization of terrorists, military personnel also apprehended 18 individuals involved in oil theft, including gunrunners, oil theft collaborators, and other violent extremists.
Furthermore, the operation resulted in the rescue of 75 hostages, who had been held captive by criminal elements. He also noted that the Air Force played a crucial role, conducting numerous close air support missions, armed reconnaissance patrols, and air interdiction strikes.
In a significant development aimed at addressing the rising insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, the Defence Headquarters recently launched Operation Safe Corridor.
Headquartered in Tsafe, Zamfara State, this initiative seeks to provide a structured process for the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists who voluntarily surrender their arms.
The operation, a key component of the military’s strategy to combat insurgency, aims to reduce violence in the region while offering former fighters an opportunity to reintegrate into society.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State expressed his administration’s unwavering support for the initiative during the official handover of the operation’s office facilities, emphasizing that the state is fully committed to bolstering security efforts and combating criminal activities.
Operation Safe Corridor, designed with five essential pillars—Disarmament, Demobilization, De-radicalization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration—has been successful in the North-East region, where it helped reintegrate former Boko Haram militants. With its expansion into the North-West, the program is now focused on states like Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna, where insurgent and bandit activity has been rampant.
The initiative has the potential to play a pivotal role in stabilizing the region, offering hope for peace and a new beginning for those willing to lay down their arms.
Security experts and stakeholders are optimistic that the program will help reduce the growing wave of violence in the North-West, allowing for the reintegration of former criminals and ex-fighters into peaceful, productive lives.
This move represents a comprehensive approach to tackling the security crisis, combining military operations with long-term efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate those who have once embraced violence.
