Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has said Nigerian troops have recorded significant operational gains in ongoing counterinsurgency and anti-banditry campaigns across the country.
Buratai, who disclosed this in a post on his verified Facebook page, said coordinated efforts by the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force are increasingly shifting the momentum in the fight against insecurity.
He noted that troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East repelled a major attack on Kukareta community in Borno State, killing 24 terrorists and recovering a significant cache of weapons, including rifles, machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
Buratai added that follow-up operations led to the discovery of additional terrorist casualties, while troops in Kanamma, Yobe State, neutralised four insurgents alongside a high-value ISWAP commander identified as Abu Jarir.
He further disclosed that air interdiction missions by the Nigerian Air Force in the Lake Chad region struck ISWAP gatherings on Kaniram Island, inflicting heavy losses on the group.
In the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma recorded notable successes against bandits, including the recovery of over 200 rustled cattle in Katsina State after an engagement with a group linked to a suspected kingpin, Muhammad Filani.
He said similar operations in Zamfara State and Kaduna State led to the destruction of criminal enclaves, recovery of arms, rescue of kidnapped victims, and arrest of suspects.
In the North-Central, Buratai stated that troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested suspected militia members involved in cattle rustling in Plateau State, recovering stolen livestock, while coordinated ambushes led to the neutralisation of armed bandits.
He also reported that troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State, recovering large quantities of stolen crude oil.
In the South-East, he said security forces arrested a suspected commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra known as “Calamity,” allegedly linked to attacks on security personnel.
Buratai further revealed that the remains of two soldiers killed in 2022, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Lance Corporal Gloria Mathew, had been recovered and would receive full military burial honours.
He attributed the recent operational gains to improved intelligence gathering, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and the resilience of troops deployed across theatres of operation.
While acknowledging that the fight against insecurity is ongoing, Buratai called on Nigerians to sustain support for the military and other security agencies through credible intelligence, encouragement, and civic cooperation.
He also urged the media to maintain balanced reporting by highlighting both operational successes and challenges, noting that sustained public confidence is critical to long-term stability.
Buratai warned that although terrorist and criminal groups are weakened, they remain dangerous, stressing the need to intensify operations until total peace is achieved nationwide.
