The Nigerian military has announced that its troops killed 13 suspected kidnappers and several notorious bandit leaders during operations in Benue and Plateau States.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed this on Thursday while briefing journalists on recent military activities across different theatres. He said the troops dismantled criminal networks in the North-Central region, foiled an oil theft attempt worth over ₦28 million, and destroyed 17 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta.
General Kangye explained that some key terrorist commanders were eliminated in firefights and air bombardments, while others, including kidnappers and arms dealers, were arrested. Among them were two gun runners held in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State, and two suspected kidnappers, Mohammed Sanusi and Usman Alhaji Bala, arrested in Obajana, Kogi State.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled a Boko Haram ambush at Kareto, Borno State, on 3 September 2025. The terrorists detonated two IEDs and opened heavy fire on a military convoy escorting humanitarian trucks. Troops swiftly countered with superior firepower, killing 13 insurgents and forcing the rest to flee.
Soldiers recovered eight AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and IED-making materials. One soldier sustained minor injuries, while two trucks were destroyed by fire. Relief materials were secured and delivered safely to Damasak.