The Deputy Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their recent operations against terrorism and banditry, describing them as evidence of growing pressure on terrorist networks across the country. Agbese, a Labour Party lawmaker from Benue State, said the reported neutralisation of terrorists, rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of weapons, and arrest of suspects showed that troops were increasingly taking the battle to criminal groups.
According to figures released by the Defence Headquarters, troops conducted a series of operations across the country in July and August, neutralising 1,487 terrorists and insurgents, rescuing 777 kidnapped victims, and arresting 354 suspects. The operations also resulted in the recovery of 91 firearms, 1,331 rounds of ammunition, and 44 improvised explosive devices. Agbese said the figures reflected increasing operational pressure on terrorist groups in the North-East and North-West.
In the North-East, troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai have continued operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province elements. The Defence Headquarters said the operation in August resulted in the neutralisation of 114 terrorists, the arrest of 146 suspects, and the rescue of 60 kidnapped victims. Agbese praised the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for his role in coordinating the defence establishment and supporting closer cooperation among the military services.
Agbese also commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for their strategic and operational leadership in the campaign against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry. He said the reported gains were not the result of battlefield operations alone but also reflected coordination between the political leadership and military commanders.
The lawmaker praised Oluyede for strengthening cooperation among the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security agencies. He also commended Shaibu for what he described as renewed operational focus within the Nigerian Army, particularly in the North-East. The Chief of Army Staff recently reported that Operation Hadin Kai had neutralised 1,993 terrorists, arrested 2,645 suspects, and rescued 1,778 civilians during the period covered by the Army’s operational assessment.
Agbese said the significance of the operations should not be measured solely by the number of terrorists killed or arrested but also by the disruption of their logistics, command structures, and ability to hold communities hostage. He noted that the increasing surrender of insurgents was another important development, arguing that it reduced the manpower available to terrorist organisations while creating opportunities for security agencies to obtain intelligence about their networks and operations.
However, Agbese cautioned against complacency, saying recent operational gains should be consolidated through sustained investment in military equipment, intelligence, surveillance, logistics, and personnel welfare. He urged Nigerians to provide credible information to security agencies, stressing that community intelligence remained critical to identifying terrorist hideouts, logistics suppliers, and collaborators.
Key points
- The Nigerian Armed Forces have intensified operations against terrorist groups and bandits in the North-East and North-West, with recent operations resulting in the neutralisation of 1,487 terrorists and insurgents.
- The operations have also led to the rescue of 777 kidnapped victims and the arrest of 354 suspects.
- The Deputy Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has commended the Armed Forces for their recent operations, describing them as evidence of growing pressure on terrorist networks.
