The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has reported a series of successful military operations carried out between June 25 and 26, 2025, which resulted in the neutralization of multiple terrorists, including the infamous terror leader Mai Dada, and the confiscation of a large quantity of arms and ammunition.
Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed in a statement that these operations spanned several regions—North East, North West, North Central, and South South—reflecting a nationwide effort to combat terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities.
In Zamfara State’s Maru Local Government Area, troops from the 1 Brigade of Operation Fasan Yama successfully killed Mai Dada during a counterattack, marking a significant blow to terror activities in the North West. Kangye noted, “In a well planned and executed operations across various theatres, the Armed Force of Nigeria in conjunction with other security agencies recorded significant successes in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminal activities across the country, with the recovery of arms, ammunition, and arrest of several suspects between 25 and 26 June 2025.”
Further north, in Kaduna State, soldiers from the 2 Battalion, while escorting personnel in Birnin Gwari, thwarted an ambush by armed assailants on motorcycles and recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds.
In the North East, troops from the Land Component of Operation Hadin Kai, backed by air support from the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, conducted a patrol in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA, Borno State. They uncovered a significant cache of ammunition including 408 rounds of 12.7mm, 1,200 rounds of 7.62mm, and two 40mm RPG bombs along a known insurgent withdrawal path.
The 21 Special Armoured Brigade also launched a raid in Bama LGA, Borno State, killing three terrorists, seizing a Dane gun, and demolishing insurgent support structures. Meanwhile, Sector 3 troops in Monguno intercepted a vehicle suspected of transporting terrorist logistics, arresting one individual and confiscating supplies such as petrol, food items, fertilizer, solar panels, and other materials.
In Benue State, Operation Whirl Stroke troops rescued five kidnapping victims during a firefight along the Peykia–Wukari Road in Ukum LGA, recovering an abandoned vehicle after the kidnappers fled.
In the South South, troops from the 5 Battalion arrested two suspects in Bayelsa State’s Otueke community with locally fabricated pistols and ammunition. In Edo State, security operatives apprehended a suspect in Etsako Central LGA carrying a pump-action rifle and cutlasses.
Additionally, Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven conducted offensive operations in several Plateau State villages, utilizing drone surveillance to track criminals who abandoned a Dane gun upon encountering troops.
These operations demonstrate the Nigerian military’s ongoing dedication to eradicating terrorism and restoring security across vulnerable regions of the country.