The Nigerian military, working with other security agencies, neutralised at least 20 terrorist commanders and several foot soldiers across different theatres of operation in northern Nigeria in 2025.
Gatekeepers News reports that among the insurgent leaders killed during the period were Aminu Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Bello Buba, Dan Inna, Halilu Sabubu, Abu Dan Shehu Jabbi, Dogo Bashiru Yellow, Abba Allai (also known as Amirul Khalid of Alafa), and Amir Abu Fatimah.
Others included Kingpin Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Malla Jidda, Talha, Mallam Umar, Abu Yazeed, Kabiru Bebe, Maiwada, Mai Dada, and Nwachi Eze (aka Onowu), as well as notorious bandits known by the aliases Dosso, Suleiman, Jagaban and Danja.
In addition to the killings, troops arrested 4,375 suspects, while 1,616 terrorists and their family members surrendered to the military. A total of 2,336 kidnapped victims were rescued during operations in the year under review.
The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday while presenting a review of the military’s operational achievements in the outgoing year.
Breaking down the figures, Onoja said 1,323 suspects, including collaborators, gunrunners, sympathisers and spies, were arrested in the Northeast, while 1,616 insurgents surrendered and 498 abducted persons were rescued in the zone.
According to him, the security situation in the Northeast remains relatively stable, despite continued threats from Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“Although these terrorist groups have been significantly degraded through joint operations by the military and other security agencies, they continue to conduct remote operations, isolated attacks on civilian and military targets, and plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to hinder troop movements.
“Nonetheless, the military remains vigilant and will continue to refine its tactics, techniques, and procedures to effectively counter these threats.”
Onoja added that troops recovered various arms, ammunition, vehicles, equipment and N32 million, while several terrorist camps and hibernation areas were destroyed.
“These actions significantly degraded the terrorists’ fighting capabilities, compelling them to surrender in large numbers and denying them freedom of action. Overall, troops’ efforts in the Northeast have revitalised commercial and agricultural activities, facilitated the return of local authorities, and enabled Internally Displaced Persons to resettle in their respective communities.”
In the Northwest, the DMO said scores of terrorists were killed, 669 suspects arrested, and 966 kidnapped victims rescued. He noted that troops also intercepted and recovered arms, ammunition, equipment and large sums of money intended for ransom payments, weapon procurement and other criminal activities.
He added that modern warfare equipment and intelligence assets, including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and other high-calibre weapons, were deployed to boost operational effectiveness in the zone.
On the joint U.S.-Nigeria airstrikes in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Onoja said precision strikes were carried out against two major Islamic State (ISIS) enclaves in the Bauni Forest axis.
According to him, intelligence reports identified the locations as key assembly and staging points for foreign ISIS fighters infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region to coordinate large-scale attacks with local affiliates.
“A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed via MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, effectively neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to reach Nigeria via the Sahel corridor.”
The DMO declined to provide further details on the operation, noting that the matter remains classified, but assured that Nigerians would be briefed at the appropriate time.
