Nigerian Military Eliminate 96 Terrorists, Arrest Commander

The military also seized a total of 71 weapons and 1,463 rounds of ammunition during the operations.

Abuja, Nigeria – The Defence Headquarters has reported the elimination of 96 terrorists by troops during recent operations in Northern Nigeria.

In addition to the killings, a total of 227 suspects, including a key terrorist commander, Usman Maisaje, were apprehended.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, Maisaje is a known associate of Kachalla Boka, a high-profile terrorist leader. Maisaje’s capture is seen as a significant victory, with Maj. Gen. Buba confirming that the suspect is cooperating with security forces and providing critical intelligence for future operations.

“Troops neutralised 96 terrorists, arrested 227 individuals, and rescued 157 kidnapped victims during the week,” Maj. Gen. Buba said. He added that Maisaje’s arrest is particularly valuable due to the intelligence being provided.

In the Niger Delta, troops also made significant gains, recovering crude oil valued at N712 million and arresting 45 suspected oil thieves.

Operations in the region led to the destruction of 48 boats, 52 drums, 38 storage tanks, four dugout pits, and 60 illegal refining sites. Other recovered items included 55 cooking ovens, two speedboats, six vehicles, six mobile phones, and a tricycle.

The military also seized a total of 71 weapons and 1,463 rounds of ammunition during the operations.

Maj. Gen. Buba underscored the importance of these operations, which also resulted in the recovery of 712,535 litres of stolen crude oil and 76,800 litres of illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO). The military’s efforts continue to target criminal activities in both the northern and southern regions of the country.