Badaru: Over 13,000 terrorists killed, 124,408 surrendered to troops in 21 months
Muhammad Badaru, minister of defence says the Nigerian troops have eliminated 13,541 terrorists and apprehend 17,469 criminals between May 2023 and February 2025.
Speaking at the ministerial briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Badaru said troops also rescued 9,821 kidnap victims, while 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists surrendered to the military within the period.
“Troops have also restored peace to hundreds of communities and thousands of our people have been brought to their ancestral homes,” he said.
“For instance, from May 2023 to February 2025, our troops have neutralised 13,543 terrorists and criminals. We have arrested 17,469 and rescued 9,821 hostages.
“Meanwhile, 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist combatants, fighters and their families also surrendered within the period.
“The summary of our operational success induced by the renewed synergy include the recovery of 11,118 weapons and 252,596 assorted ammunition.
“As attested by the President during the July 64th independence, in the independence broadcast, he said over 300 terrorist commanders have been eliminated.”
Badaru noted that security has improved in many communities that were ravaged by terrorists in the north-east and north-west, with many displaced persons returning to their ancestral homes.
“This shows the slow but steady return of peace through our kinetic and non-kinetic efforts like the operations at Borno and the North-East sustained by the ministry,” he said.
“This programme which has received commendations and visits by foreign non-kinetic think-tanks has been very effective.”
Badaru added that enhanced synergy between the security forces has encouraged troops to keep the nation’s highway clear of criminals.
The minister noted that there has been significant security improvements along the Kaduna-Abuja highway and other roads like Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari, Funtua-Gusau-Sokoto and Gusau-Kaura-Namoda-Zuru-Jibia.
He said traditional rulers and political leaders have “attested to significant security improvements” in market areas like Niwa, Birnin-Gwari, Kasuandaji and Jibia “which are now all booming with businesses”.
