In a series of coordinated military operations across Nigeria, troops have rejected a bribe of ₦13.7 million from suspected terrorists in Plateau State, neutralised multiple bandits, and arrested criminal suspects, including two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), according to the Defence Headquarters.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, announced the developments during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, covering operations conducted from July 9 to 16, 2025.
Kangye revealed that troops of Operation Safe Haven, while responding to a distress call on the Jos–Sanga Road, intercepted a bullet-ridden vehicle occupied by two suspects.
“On 9 July 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road.
Suspects attempted to induce troops with monetary gratification, but they declined.
“Troops arrested the two suspects, recovered weapons, ammunition, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000 from them. Investigation ongoing while recovered items in troops’ custody,” he said.
Further operations were carried out in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom, and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State, and Kaura and Sanga LGAs in Kaduna State. These efforts led to the arrest of seven militias and criminals, with additional seizures of weapons, motorcycles, and illicit drugs.
Kangye added that a successful ambush in Nteng, Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau State, led to the killing of two bandits after intelligence revealed plans of an attack.
“Within the period July 9-16, 2025, troops of Operation Safe Haven conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom and Jos East local government areas of Plateau State, as well as Kaura and Sanga local government areas of Kaduna State.
“While conducting these operations, they contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested 12 and rescued three kidnapped victims.
Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
Similarly, troops of Operation Safe Haven, while on routine patrol, arrested seven militias/criminals in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Wamba and Sanga LGs of Nasarawa and Kaduna states, respectively. Items recovered from them were weapons, ammunition and motorcycles as well as illicit drugs,” he said.
Confirming the Plateau ambush, the Military Special Taskforce spokesman, Major Samson Zhakom, said, “Two bandits were neutralised, while others fled with possible gunshot wounds.”
He noted that weapons recovered during the operation are in custody and troops are pursuing the fleeing suspects.
In the Northeast, two NURTW members, Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed, were arrested in Biu LGA of Borno State while receiving waybills linked to a suspicious consignment.
“Two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed were arrested in Liya, Biu LG of Borno State, while receiving waybills from a truck driver, which corresponded with intelligence received earlier on the said consignment. The items include 13 pairs of military uniforms and some high-voltage batteries amongst others,” Kangye said.
Additionally, a 65-year-old terrorist logistics supplier, Shaibu Bulama, was arrested at Damasak Motor Park in Yobe State. Authorities recovered arms, ammunition, and ₦17.15 million during the operation.
He also reported the surrender of 16 terrorist family members in Bama LGA, Borno State, comprising four adult females and 12 children.
“As a result of sustained military operations in the Northeast theatre, 16 family members of terrorists, including four adult females and 12 children, surrendered to troops in Bama LG on July 14, 2025. Preliminary investigations indicate that the group surrendered from Bakura Jega village,” he added.
In the fight against oil theft, Operation Delta Safe troops arrested 42 suspects and confiscated 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 1,759 litres of DPK.
Recovered items include 18 illegal cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums, 19 refining sites, 13 vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles, drilling and pumping machines, and mobile phones.
Kangye stated that troops also arrested notorious cultist Prince Johnson Ishirim, also known as Commander Junior, along with 13 others in Rivers and Delta States.
He added that 28 oil thieves and some drug dealers were arrested in Bayelsa’s Southern Ijaw LGA on July 10.
In the Southeast, a tax collector for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), was captured in Ihiala LGA, Anambra State.
Kangye said, “The suspect was allegedly commissioned by the separatist group to collect levies from residents.”
Troops recovered ₦1.5 million from the individual.
