The Nigerian military has neutralized 8,034 terrorists and rescued 6,376 kidnap victims between January and December 2024. These operations also led to the arrest of 11,623 suspected criminals, marking a significant step in the fight against insecurity, according to the Defence Headquarters.
“These achievements underscore our troops’ commitment to protecting lives and restoring peace across the nation,” said Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations. Buba, addressing journalists in Abuja, emphasized the military’s vigilance across five active theatres of operations.
The troops also made substantial recoveries, including 8,216 weapons and 211,459 rounds of ammunition. Among the confiscated arms were 4,053 AK-47 rifles, 1,123 locally made guns, and 240 pump-action guns. “Our operations have greatly diminished the capacity of criminal elements to destabilize the country,” Buba stated.
In addition to combating terrorism, the military struck a blow against oil theft, denying criminals over N57 billion worth of stolen crude oil. Troops recovered 53.1 million liters of crude oil, 9.1 million liters of illegally refined diesel, and thousands of liters of kerosene and petrol.
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Buba credited the troops’ high state of alert and readiness for their successes. “We’ve faced diverse threats but responded decisively to ensure Nigeria’s safety and sovereignty,” he said.
Security analysts praised the military’s achievements but called for sustained efforts to consolidate these gains. “This is a promising outcome, but the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty and unemployment, must also be addressed,” noted Dr. Adebayo Akanbi, a public affairs analyst.
The military urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to further weaken criminal networks. “Together, we can overcome these challenges and secure a brighter future for our country,” Buba concluded
