The Nigerian military has identified a surge in recruitment efforts on social media by terrorist groups, particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and has pledged to intensify its operations to eradicate these threats.
In a statement released on Saturday, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that military actions have significantly weakened the ranks of these groups.
Buba noted that coordinated air strikes and ground assaults have dismantled terrorist camps, resulting in substantial casualties among the militants.
On November 6, 2024, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out precision air strikes targeting ISWAP positions on the KWALLARAM and ARAINNA CIKI islands in Borno State.
These operations led to the elimination of more than 70 militants at KWALLARAM, with additional losses at ARAINNA CIKI.
Buba further reported that in recent operations, troops neutralized 169 terrorists, detained 641 individuals, and increased their pressure on insurgents nationwide.
Additionally, 40 individuals involved in oil theft were apprehended, and 181 kidnapped persons were freed. In the Niger Delta, military forces disrupted oil theft activities, preventing losses estimated at over N1.4 billion.
According to Buba, troops also confiscated a cache of weaponry, including 106 AK-47 rifles, 38 homemade guns, 26 locally made guns, one FN rifle, three makeshift revolvers, five pump-action guns, and other armaments.
A total of 2,970 rounds of ammunition, along with various explosives and communications equipment, were recovered. Other seized items included 40 mobile phones, seven vehicles, and 29 motorcycles, as well as N729,000 in cash.
In addition, operations in the Niger Delta led to the discovery and destruction of numerous illegal oil refining facilities, including 20 crude oil ovens, 42 boats, and 83 illicit refineries.
Troops also recovered large quantities of stolen resources, including 914,445 litres of crude oil, 537,325 litres of refined diesel, and 1,285 litres of petrol.
Buba emphasized that the military remains committed to its mission of eliminating terrorist threats and safeguarding national resources from illegal exploitation.
