By Abdul Lauya
The Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), Muhammad Badaru, has announced that Nigerian troops have eliminated 13,541 terrorists and apprehended 17,469 criminals across the country in the last 21 months.
This disclosure was made during a ministerial briefing on the activities of the ministry, which took place on Wednesday in Abuja.
The troops also rescued 9,821 kidnap victims, while a total of 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists surrendered within the same period.
According to the Minister, the period under review has seen significant successes, including the killing and capture of numerous terrorists, rescue of hostages, and recovery of large caches of arms and ammunition.
Troops have restored peace to hundreds of communities, allowing thousands of people to return to their ancestral homes.
The Minister provided specific statistics, stating that from May 2023 to February 2025, troops neutralized 13,543 terrorists and criminals, arrested 17,469, and rescued 9,821 hostages.
Additionally, 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist combatants and their families surrendered during this period.
The Minister attributed these successes to renewed synergy among security agencies, which has led to the recovery of 11,118 weapons and 252,596 assorted ammunition.
He also noted that over 300 terrorist commanders have been eliminated, citing the President’s independence broadcast.
Security has improved significantly in many communities previously ravaged by insecurity, particularly in the North-East and North-West.
Many displaced persons have returned to their ancestral homes, marking a slow but steady return of peace.
The Minister highlighted the effectiveness of both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts, including a programme in Borno and the North-East that has received commendations from foreign think-tanks.
Enhanced synergy between security forces has also kept the nation’s highways clear of criminals.
Notably, improvement has been recorded along major roads, including the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.
Markets in previously insecure areas are now thriving, with businesses booming in places like Niwa, Birnin-Gwari, Kasuandaji, and Jibia.
