The Defence Headquarters has announced the successful neutralisation of several terrorists by Nigerian troops, including a notorious kingpin identified as Mai Dada. A significant cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered during the operations.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, stated that the coordinated operations took place across multiple theatres in the North East, North West, North Central, and South South regions between June 25 and 26, 2025.
Kangye revealed that in the North West, troops under Operation Fasan Yama of 1 Brigade eliminated Mai Dada during a counterattack in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“In a well planned and executed operations across various theatres, the Armed Force if Nigeria in conjunction with other security agencies recoreded 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.”
He further stated: “Troops of 1 Brigade of Operation FASAN YAMA in Zamfara State neutralised a terrorist kingpin identified as Mai Dada during a counterattack in Maru LGA, while in Edo State, a criminal suspect at Etsako Central LGA was arrested with a pump-action gun and cutlasses.”
In Kaduna State, 2 Battalion troops on escort duty in Birnin Gwari repelled an ambush by armed men on motorcycles and recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds.
In the North East, Kangye said troops from the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, under the Land Component of Operation HADIN KAI and supported by the Air Component, carried out a fighting patrol in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. They recovered 408 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 1,200 rounds of 7.62mm, and two 40mm RPG bombs along a route frequently used by fleeing insurgents.
Also in Borno State, troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade conducted a raid on a terrorist hideout in Bama LGA, killing three fighters, recovering a Dane gun, and dismantling 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 included 65 litres of PMS, 4 bags of rice, 5 bags of groundnuts, 4 bags of NPK fertilizer, some tubers of yam, 7 motorcycle headlights, 10 solar lights, 2,000 empty cement bags, 4 solar panels and one mobile phone,” he added.
In Benue State, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE stationed at Jooter/Kyado rescued five kidnapped individuals during a firefight along the Peykia–Wukari Road in Ukum LGA.
“Following a firefight, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled into the bush. Troops rescued 5 passengers and recovered one vehicle. The abductors fled into the bush, abandoning their captives and a vehicle,” the statement added.
In the South South region, troops of 5 Battalion apprehended two suspects in Otueke, Bayelsa State, with locally made pistols and one round of 9mm ammunition. Additionally, in Edo State, another suspect was arrested in Etsako Central LGA with a pump-action rifle and cutlasses.
“Relatedly, troops of JTF Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations at TANGUR, KWAKAS, HOROP, TULUS, JINAK, and HOKK villages 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,” he stated.
