The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, on Wednesday disclosed that the Armed Forces neutralised 13,541 terrorists and arrested 17,469 criminals across the country between May 2023 and February 2025.
Badaru, who made this known during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, said the operations also led to the rescue of 9,821 kidnap victims, while 124,408 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and their families surrendered to troops within the period under review.
He noted that the military recorded significant operational successes through both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, restoring peace to previously ravaged communities, especially in the North-East and North-West.
“Our troops have eliminated 13,543 terrorists and criminals, arrested 17,469 suspects, and rescued 9,821 hostages.
Additionally, 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP combatants, fighters, and their families surrendered during the same period,” Badaru stated.
The Defence Minister further revealed that the military recovered 11,118 weapons and 252,596 assorted rounds of ammunition.
He said the improved synergy among security agencies had cleared major highways of criminal elements, citing noticeable progress on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway and other critical routes across the country.
He also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address in July 2024, where the President confirmed that over 300 terrorist commanders had been eliminated.
Badaru said, “This shows a slow but steady return of peace through our efforts. Non-kinetic programmes, particularly in Borno and the North-East, have also yielded commendable results and attracted attention from international peace-building experts.”
He added that commercial activities had resumed in markets previously crippled by insecurity, including Niwa, Birnin-Gwari, Kasuandaji, and Jibia, as acknowledged by traditional and political leaders.
The minister assured that the government remains committed to sustaining the momentum in tackling insecurity and restoring normalcy across all affected regions.
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