In a renewed offensive against terrorism and economic sabotage, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the recovery of a staggering ₦21 billion in illicit funds and the neutralisation of no fewer than 78 terrorists in various coordinated military operations across the country.
This latest breakthrough, which forms part of an intensified national security effort, was disclosed by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) during a routine press briefing in Abuja, where key updates were provided on recent counter-insurgency operations spearheaded by the Nigerian Armed Forces. According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the success was achieved through a combination of ground and air assaults in insurgency-prone regions, particularly in the North-East and North-West corridors.
He revealed that troops, acting on credible intelligence, stormed several terrorist enclaves, dismantling their logistics networks and recovering large caches of arms, ammunition, and financial assets linked to criminal and terrorist financing. The sum of ₦21 billion, reportedly traced to illegal transactions and hidden accounts used for funding terrorist operations, was intercepted in what security analysts are describing as one of the most impactful financial seizures in recent years.
“In the past few weeks, our troops have not only intensified offensive operations but have also leveraged actionable intelligence to disrupt the financial lifelines of these criminal elements. A total of 78 terrorists have been neutralised, while dozens of others were arrested and are currently undergoing interrogation,” Major General Buba disclosed.
He further stated that the military has also rescued several kidnapped victims, destroyed hideouts used by bandits and insurgents, and secured vital highways that had been previously plagued by ambushes and attacks. The coordinated airstrikes, executed by the Nigerian Air Force in conjunction with ground troops, were said to have precisely targeted terrorist camps in Borno, Zamfara, and parts of Kaduna States.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that these operations are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to stamp out terrorism, banditry, and all forms of criminality threatening national security and stability. The government also assured Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to trace more hidden funds and dismantle the broader networks facilitating terrorism across the Sahel region.
Meanwhile, military authorities have called on communities to support security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that public cooperation remains essential in winning the war against terrorism. As the dry season approaches, which traditionally sees an uptick in insurgent activity, the Armed Forces say they are better equipped, more coordinated, and fully committed to ensuring peace and stability across all regions.
The latest development comes at a time when Nigeria is under increased pressure to curtail security threats and restore investor confidence. With the recovery of ₦21 billion and the elimination of dozens of terrorists, security experts believe the government is making meaningful progress, even as they call for greater transparency in the management of recovered assets and sustained military engagement in volatile areas.
