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Another 2,743 Terrorists Surrender As Troops Sustain Offensive …Bandits Abduct 27, Attack Security Base In Sokoto
Another set of 2,783 terrorists and their families have surrendered to troops following a renewed offensive against the criminal elements in the North-East and North-West, respectively.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) disclosed this while briefing Defence Correspondents on military operations in Abuja, yesterday.
The Acting Director of Defence Media Operations, Brig-Gen Bernard Onyeuko, said a total number of 391 terrorists and armed bandits were killed across the country in the last one month while 103 others were arrested and a large cache of arms and ammunition recovered.
Onyeuko said troops sustained operations across various theatres with significant results.
In the North-East theatre, he said troops had several encounters with terrorists in different locations, adding that 85 BHT/ISWAP were killed while 43, including collaborators were arrested.
He said the troops recovered 121 assorted weapons including SMG, HK21 guns, AK-47 and locally-made rifles with magazines, 3,372 rounds of 7.62mm NATO/Special ammunition, locally made pistols and smooth body grenades, RPG-7 bombs as well as 12,250 bags of fertilizers and 178 rustled livestock among several other items.
In the North-West, he said 240 armed bandits were neutralised, 125 assorted arms, including AK-47 and FN riffles and Dane guns as well as 1,166 rounds of 7.62mm special/NATO ammunition, 1,304 livestock and 54 motorcycles among other items were recovered within the period.
The director said troops also arrested 47 armed bandits, informants and bandits’ collaborators terrorising the region.
He added that 53 armed bandits were killed during air bombardments on criminal enclaves in different locations including Magami and Dansadau forests in Zamfara State.
He stated further that troops of operation Whirl Stroke killed 15 armed bandits and recovered 23 AK-47 rifles with magazines as well as 66 rounds of 7.62mm special and 39mm ammunition.
Also troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested 15 criminals, recovered 14 locally fabricated rifles, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 14 cartridges and 44 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, among others.
In a related development, troops of operation Thunder Strike/Whirl Punch killed 83 armed bandits in different raids in Kaduna State.
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will not rest on their oars in the fight against criminalities in all parts of the country.
“Under Operation Thunder Strike/whirl Punch, troops maintained their highway and fighting patrols to dominate and provide security in major and minor roads as well as deny armed elements freedom of action.
“September 5, offensive air strikes were executed, using a force pack of Nigerian Air Force platforms, on a bandits’ camp at Kuza Hills, which led to the destruction of some of the criminals’ hideouts and logistics facilities.
“No fewer than 43 bandits were neutralised in the process.
“In same vein, over 40 bandits were neutralised at Fadaman Kanauta in Kidandan forest under Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“This feat was achieved when the Air Component carried a 3-day intensive air offensive on bandits’ enclaves at the location between September13 and September 15,” he said.
Meanwhile, armed bandits have reportedly abducted 27 people during an attack at Gatawa village in Sabon Brinin Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
A member of the state House of Assembly, who represents Sabon Birni East Constituency, Hon Sa’idu Ibrahim, confirmed the development to newsmen in Sokoto, yesterday.
The lawmaker said the bandits were now targeting security formations in the area.
“They are now looking for where security operatives are stationed because their morale was boosted by their recent attack on a military formation at Dama where many soldiers, policemen and Civil Defence officers were killed.
“So, they are now attacking places where they know military, police or other paramilitary camped.
“They shot two persons, including a woman and burnt three others who hid in a grain store; one of them died instantly while the other two are receiving treatment in the hospital”, he said.
According to the lawmaker, they invaded Gatawa because of the presence of “Operation Puff Ader” camp in the area.
“As I am talking to you now, many policemen are still missing. We don’t know whether they were abducted or ran away”, he said.
Another source from the local government who preferred to speak on the condition of anonymity told Journalists in Sokoto, yesterday, that many casualties were recorded during the latest attack.
All efforts to get the reaction of the Nigerian Police, Sokoto State Command were not successful at the time of writing this report.
When contacted by our correspondent, the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said he was in a meeting, and promised to get back.
Sabon Birnin is an epicentre of banditry attacks with the state government imposed a no telecommunication service in the area as part of efforts to curb insecurity in the state.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.
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