In a sweeping show of force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have ramped up their nationwide counter-terrorism and anti-crime campaigns, reporting major operational gains over the first two weeks of November 2025. According to Maj.-Gen. Olatokunbo Bello, Director of Defence Media Operations, these efforts have led to the deaths of scores of terrorists, the rescue of 67 kidnapped victims, and the arrest of 94 criminal suspects across the country. The announcement, made during a press briefing in Abuja on November 14, underscores the military’s intensified approach to restoring peace and stability amid persistent security challenges.
“Troops across all theatres recorded substantial operational gains,” Bello told journalists, highlighting the role of improved intelligence, sustained offensives, and inter-agency collaboration. The operations, which spanned from November 3 to November 14, were notable not just for their breadth but also their depth, as the military targeted insurgent strongholds, criminal hideouts, and illicit economic activities in nearly every region.
In the restive North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai maintained aggressive ground and air offensives in Borno and Adamawa States. The result: several Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were neutralized, and 45 informants, collaborators, and logistics suppliers were arrested. One kidnapped victim was also rescued during these operations. Large caches of arms and ammunition—including automatic rifles, machine guns, RPG tubes, locally fabricated weapons, and IED-making materials—were seized, and criminal camps were dismantled, as reported by both the News Agency of Nigeria and BusinessDay.
But the fight was not without its tragic moments. On November 14, around 5 p.m., a convoy of soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) personnel came under a deadly ambush by ISWAP fighters near Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State. According to HumAngle, two soldiers and two CJTF members lost their lives, with the attackers also making off with motorcycles. The convoy, which had left Damboa earlier that afternoon, was intercepted as it moved toward Bongry along Biu Road. In a dramatic twist, a Brigade Commander who was part of the operation went missing during the chaos but managed to stay in contact via WhatsApp and later returned on foot after a narrow escape—an unprecedented incident in Nigeria’s ongoing counterinsurgency campaign.
“The terrorists killed two soldiers and two CJTF members. They also took some motorcycles,” a local resident told HumAngle, reflecting the ever-present dangers faced by security personnel in the region. Damboa and neighboring communities have endured repeated insurgent assaults in recent months, with residents lamenting the persistent insecurity along key transport routes despite the military’s sustained efforts.
Elsewhere in the country, the military’s reach extended through multiple coordinated operations. In the North-West, troops of Operation Fagge Yamma intensified counter-banditry efforts across Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano States. Several terrorists were killed in raids and ambushes, two suspects were arrested, and 13 kidnapped victims were rescued. Weapons, vehicles, and rustled livestock were recovered as troops dismantled criminal hideouts, according to both BusinessDay and the News Agency of Nigeria.
The North-Central region saw its own share of action. Operation Enduring Peace responded to multiple attacks in Plateau and Kaduna States, killing extremists, arresting 16 suspects, and rescuing five kidnapped victims. Notably, on November 9, notorious criminal Ibrahim Wakili was apprehended in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State—a move Bello described as a “major disruption of violent networks.” Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also reported significant successes in Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, killing several criminals, arresting 10 suspects, and rescuing 48 kidnapped victims. Two gunrunners and two extremist collaborators were arrested in Nasarawa State, further disrupting criminal supply lines.
In the Niger Delta, the military tackled a different kind of threat—economic sabotage. Operation Delta Safe uncovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites, foiled crude oil theft valued at more than N15.8 million, and arrested nine suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa and Delta States. The crackdown on oil theft and illegal refining underscores the military’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s vital economic resources.
The South-East was not left out. Troops of Operation Udo Ka maintained pressure on separatist-linked and violent criminal groups, killing one terrorist and arresting seven suspects during operations in Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States. These actions, Bello emphasized, are part of a broader strategy to restore law and order in regions plagued by separatist violence and organized crime.
Meanwhile, the nation’s internal security agencies have also been making headlines. On November 14, the Department of State Services (DSS) recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki, a wanted Ansaru terrorist who had masterminded deadly attacks on banks in Uromi, Edo State, and a fatal shooting at Deeper Life College in Okene, Kogi State, back in 2022. Obadaki was among 879 inmates who escaped from Kuje prison in July 2022 after a coordinated attack by Islamic State-linked groups. The DSS, as reported by Legit.ng and Channels TV, has vowed to continue prosecuting major terror suspects, pledging to hold accountable those responsible for disrupting Nigeria’s peace.
These security operations unfold against a backdrop of persistent challenges. Nigeria continues to grapple with overlapping crises—banditry, extremist insurgencies, and economic hardship. President Bola Tinubu, elected in 2023 on promises of enhanced security, faces mounting pressure as violence and crime remain widespread. The DSS has acknowledged that the root causes of insecurity are complex, with some analysts linking the surge in violence to staggering poverty and limited economic opportunities across the country.
Internationally, Nigeria’s security situation has also drawn attention. Recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, threatening to unleash America’s military on Nigerian ‘Islamic terrorists’ and alleging persecution of Christians, have added a layer of external scrutiny to the country’s internal struggles. While such comments are controversial and have sparked debate, they highlight the global dimensions of Nigeria’s fight against terror.
Amid these challenges, Maj.-Gen. Bello reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining the tempo of operations across all regions. “The Armed Forces remain focused on restoring peace, security, and stability throughout the country,” he declared. He also commended the resilience of Nigerian troops and urged the media to continue disseminating accurate and verified information in support of national security efforts.
For many Nigerians, the recent wave of operations offers a glimmer of hope. Yet, the deadly ambush in Damboa and the ongoing threat of high-profile escapees like Obadaki serve as sobering reminders that the road to lasting peace is fraught with peril. The coming months will test the resolve of security forces and policymakers alike as they strive to turn operational gains into enduring stability. For now, the nation watches, waits, and hopes that these efforts mark a genuine turning point in the long battle against violence and insecurity.
