The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported significant achievements in joint military operations across Nigeria over the past two years, with a total of 6,260 terrorists killed and 5,365 civilians rescued. During this period, over N83 billion worth of stolen goods, predominantly crude oil, have been recovered, and 14,138 terrorists and other criminals arrested. These figures, along with the recovery of hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition, were revealed by Brig-Gen Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), at an expanded parley with media executives at the DHQ, marking two years in office for the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs.

In a concurrent address, Gen Christopher Musa called on Nigerians to shift their perception of the military from an "occupying force" to "committed partners" in the nation’s democratic progress and security architecture. This appeal was central to the maiden Civil-Military Relations Conference organized by DHQ in Abuja, themed ‘Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security’. The CDS acknowledged historical mistrust stemming from past military interventions in governance, stating, "Historically, the relationship between the military and the civilian population has, at times, been characterised by suspicion, fear and mistrust." He emphasized that the Armed Forces of Nigeria now operate within a democratic framework, accountable to the people, urging citizens to embrace ownership of national stability and military commanders to prioritize community well-being. Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, Chief of Civil-Military Relations at DHQ, highlighted the event as a milestone in the military's commitment to people-centric security operations, echoing Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, who noted the programme aligns with the CDS’s philosophy of "leading a people-centric armed forces."

Detailed breakdowns of military successes across various regions were provided. In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered N83 billion worth of stolen crude oil, killed 103 criminals, arrested 2,760 others, and rescued 266 civilians. The North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, saw 1,246 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists eliminated, 2,467 arrested, and 1,920 civilians rescued, alongside the recovery of 982 arms and 2,153 ammunition. In the North West, troops of Operation Fasan Yamma killed 1,374 bandits, including their top commanders, across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto states. Additionally, 2,160 bandits were arrested, and 3,288 hostages rescued, with 947 weapons and 25,802 rounds of ammunition recovered.

Operations in the North-Central resulted in the killing of 730 terrorists, bandits, and violent extremists, the arrest of 7,153 violent extremists, and the rescue of 1,510 civilians. Over 1,065 weapons and 19,709 rounds were recovered. In the South East, Operation Udo Ka eliminated 440 terrorists and arrested 1,677 criminals, while rescuing 294 civilians and recovering 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds of ammunition. Finally, the Joint Task Force South West killed 80 criminals, arrested 1,763 others, and rescued 89 kidnap victims, seizing 143 weapons and 177,904 rounds of ammunition.

Updates from the Air Force and Navy Chiefs further underscored the comprehensive efforts. Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, reported that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had significantly enhanced its operational capabilities, receiving 15 new aircraft, including T-129 attack helicopters, Agusta Westline 109 checker helicopters, Pitchfork Kish aircraft, and Diamond aircraft, within the last two years. An additional 49 platforms, such as CASA 295 aircraft, Agusta Westline 109 checker aircraft, KH-122 helicopters, and M-346 fighter aircraft, are expected by the end of 2026. These acquisitions have boosted NAF's operational effectiveness, leading to over 4,500 hours flown in 2,304 sorties within the last year, and over 4,670 hours in 2,714 sorties the year prior. Since June 2023, NAF operations have neutralized over 3,496 terrorists and destroyed 775 structures, logistics, and 218 combat vehicles, with an additional 2,104 terrorists neutralized and 669 structures destroyed in the last year through air operations.

Vice Adm Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, detailed the Nigerian Navy's robust anti-oil theft and anti-smuggling operations. Through Operation Delta Sanity, the Navy seized over 76 vessels and deactivated 808 illegal oil refining sites, including 2,411 docker pits and 5,421 storage facilities. These efforts denied oil thieves approximately 27.3 million litres of crude oil, 4.1 million litres of illegally refined AGO, 117,525 litres of PDK, and 369,155 litres of EMS, amounting to an estimated N29.5 billion at current market rates. Furthermore, anti-smuggling operations resulted in the seizure of 4,610 bags of foreign rice and 1,467 bags of cannabis sativa and other psychoactive substances, worth over N5 billion, smuggled in loading boats.

Gen Christopher Musa concluded by reiterating that Nigeria’s security landscape is "dynamic and complex," necessitating a "multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional approach" that fosters synergy among the military, government institutions, and the populace. He emphasized the formation of a "unified trinity" to combat diverse threats like terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and secessionist violence. Recognizing the media's crucial role in the "non-kinetic theatre" and the fight against misinformation, the CDS urged accurate reportage to instill public confidence and reaffirmed the Armed Forces' commitment to protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.