The Defence Headquarters has released data detailing its operational successes for March, highlighting significant gains recorded by the Nigerian Armed Forces across multiple theatres of operation.
According to figures shared on its official social media platforms, the Defence Headquarters said a total of 197 insurgents surrendered to troops during the period under review, a development it attributed to sustained military pressure on armed groups and ongoing efforts to encourage defections.
The military also reported the arrest of 1,359 suspects, including terrorists, criminals, illegal miners, and informants.ALFRILENS NEWS understands that this reflects intensified intelligence-driven operations and coordinated raids carried out nationwide.
In the same period, troops killed 103 terrorists and other criminals, including identified ring leaders such as “Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago, and Ba Alayi Benbeng.” The Defence Headquarters noted that the operations specifically targeted key figures believed to be responsible for orchestrating violent attacks.
On the humanitarian front, the military said 813 kidnapped hostages were rescued. It also disclosed that 104 illegal refining sites and related infrastructure were destroyed as part of ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and environmental crimes in the Niger Delta.
Recovered items from these operations included 216,570 litres of illegally refined petroleum products, as well as 254 weapons, ammunition, and other supplies, underscoring the scale of illicit activities disrupted by troops.
Since the start of the year, the Defence Headquarters has consistently propagated troops’ operational gains—a strategy also widely adopted by terror groups across the Sahel, including those operating in Nigeria.
In a scorecard released in January, it said troops rescued 277 kidnapped victims, including some foreign nationals, while 53 illegal refining sites were destroyed.
In the Niger Delta, security forces also recovered 210,300 litres of crude oil, 66,725 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 5,000 litres of refined petroleum products.
By February, the momentum had intensified further.
ALFRILENS NEWS reported that the Defence Headquarters recorded 354 arrests involving terrorists and illegal miners, while 409 kidnapped victims were rescued across the country.
During the same period, 32 illegal refining sites were dismantled, alongside the recovery of large quantities of stolen petroleum products, including 144,050 litres of crude oil and 31,601 litres of AGO, as well as cash seizures.
