Lagos: At the close of 2025, Nigeria’s Armed Forces recorded sustained operational activity across all theatres of engagement, reflecting a year of intensified counter-terrorism, anti-banditry, and internal security operations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the year under review was characterized by expanded joint operations, increased deployment of intelligence-led tactics, and closer inter-agency collaboration aimed at degrading terrorist and criminal networks, protecting civilians, and securing critical national assets. Troops neutralized several terrorist and criminal elements, arrested over 4,300 suspects, secured the surrender of more than 1,600 insurgents, and rescued thousands of kidnapped victims across the country during this period.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, attributed these outcomes to improved coordination and professionalism across the Armed Forces. ‘The successes recorded in 2025 are a direct result of sustained joint operations, effective intelligence utilization, and the resilience of our troops, who continue to demonstrate professionalism in very challenging environments,’ Oluyede said. He stressed that while kinetic operations remain important, public cooperation and trust are critical to long-term success. ‘Winning the confidence of the people is as important as winning on the battlefield. Without the support of communities, security efforts cannot be sustained,’ the CDS added.
In the North-East, Operation HADIN KAI maintained pressure on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements through coordinated ground and air operations. The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North-East, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, said the operational focus in 2025 was to degrade leadership structures and deny insurgents freedom of movement. ‘Our operations have significantly disrupted the command and control of terrorist groups, destroyed several camps, and forced many of them to surrender,’ Abubakar said.
In the North-West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA confronted armed banditry, kidnapping, and emerging terrorist infiltration linked to transnational networks. DHQ said sustained offensives led to the neutralization of bandit elements, the rescue of abducted civilians, and the recovery of arms, ammunition, and illicit funds.
Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE in the North-Central addressed a mix of banditry, terrorism spillover, arms trafficking, and communal violence. Troops arrested hundreds of suspects, disrupted arms supply routes, and rescued kidnapped victims across several states.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE focused on curbing oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces recorded notable success in disrupting illegal oil activities during the year. ‘Our troops thwarted oil theft valued at over 8.9 billion, recovered millions of litres of stolen petroleum products, and destroyed more than 500 illegal refining sites,’ Onoja said.
In the South-East, Operation UDO KA sustained intelligence-led operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN). DHQ said the operations resulted in arrests, arms recoveries, and a reduction in attacks on security personnel and public infrastructure.
Across all theatres, the Nigerian Air Force played a key role in providing surveillance, precision strikes, and close air support to ground troops. The CDS noted that improved intelligence fusion and air-ground coordination had constrained adversaries’ mobility and disrupted their logistics networks.
Despite the gains recorded in 2025, security analysts and military authorities agree that challenges persist. Terrorist and criminal groups continue to adapt, while arms proliferation, porous borders, and socio-economic pressures remain major drivers of insecurity. Onoja said the military remains vigilant and adaptive. ‘We are closely monitoring the movement of fleeing terrorists and criminal elements, and we urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely information,’ he said.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary, Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN), Engr. Kola Balogun, commended President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for the growth of Nigeria’s military industrial base. Balogun said the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy provides a critical platform for strengthening local defence capability.
A military scholar and publisher, Dr Sani Abubakar, expressed concerns that the Nigerian government couldn’t address the security challenge on its own. ‘My assessment of the military’s counter-insurgency efforts is mixed. I commend the new leadership, especially the Chief of Air Staff, for renewed offensives. To the military and Defence Ministry, please prioritize the stopping of kidnappings on schools and communities and highway attacks within 100 days,’ he said.
As 2025 ends, the Armed Forces of Nigeria say their focus in the coming year will be on consolidating gains, strengthening partnerships, and refining strategies to address evolving threats.