Major Security Gains Under Tinubu-Defence Minister Badaru: Thousands of Terrorists Neutralized, Hostages Freed in Two-Year Push
By Usman A Harande
Abuja, Nigeria – In a comprehensive address on May 7, 2025, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, laid bare a series of significant security achievements recorded under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Speaking at the National Press Center, the Minister detailed a robust two-year campaign (May 2023 – May 2025) that has markedly improved Nigeria’s security landscape, neutralizing threats, enhancing military capabilities, and fostering regional cooperation.
Under Minister Abubakar’s stewardship, and driven by President Tinubu’s “Enough is enough” directive, the Ministry of Defence has spearheaded a multi-pronged strategy. This approach combines kinetic military operations with crucial non-kinetic efforts aimed at winning hearts and minds, a testament to the administration’s understanding of the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges.
Key Achievements and Successes:
The Minister reported staggering figures underscoring the intensified efforts against insecurity:
- Neutralized Threats: A remarkable 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralized between May 2023 and February 2025.
- Arrests and Rescues: During the same period, 17,469 suspects were arrested, and 9,821 hostages were successfully rescued.
- Surrenders: A significant 124,408 Boko Haram/ISWAP combatant fighters and their families surrendered to authorities, indicating a weakening of insurgent groups.
- Arms Recovery: Troops recovered 11,118 weapons and 252,596 assorted rounds of ammunition.
- High-Profile Eliminations: As attested by President Tinubu, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated, with Minister Abubakar providing an extensive list including notorious figures like Damina Hannungiwa Bindin, Kachalla Halilu Sabubu, Buharin Yadi, and several ISWAP commanders.
Regional Breakdown of Successes:
- Northeast: Intensified operations, particularly through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have significantly weakened Boko Haram and ISWAP. Key terrorist strongholds in the Timbuktu Triangle were cleared in 2025, neutralizing leaders like Talha (women leader) and Abu Yazeed (ISWAP Brigade Commander). Major routes like Maiduguri-Gamborou are now more secure, and communities such as Yemteke and Kukawa are seeing residents return. The non-kinetic “Operation Safe Corridor” continues to receive international recognition.
- Northwest & North Central: The deployment of hi-tech combat enablers under “Operation FANSAN YAMMA” and the expansion of “Operation WHIRL STROKE” have yielded substantial dividends. Highways like the Kaduna-Abuja road are now safer, and markets in areas like Giwa and Birnin Gwari are thriving.1 Numerous bandit kingpins, including Kachalla Dogo Isah, Gwaska, and Bello Kaura, were neutralized in 2025. In the first quarter of 2025 alone (North Central), 122 extremists were eliminated, and 405 hostages rescued. Gun-making factories were also dismantled in Plateau State.
- South East: “Operation UDO KA” has effectively countered secessionist agitators, rendering sit-at-home orders largely ineffective. Key successes include the arrest of ESN founder Paul Iguh and the neutralization of ESN kingpins like “Zuma De Rock.”2 The coordination leading to Simon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland was also highlighted.
- South-South: “Operation DELTA SAFE” has made significant inroads against oil theft, destroying nearly 2,000 illegal refining sites, thousands of dugout pits, boats, and storage tanks.
- Southwest: While relatively calm, efforts are ongoing to counter emerging threats, including the interception of a large arms shipment (18,000 cartridges) destined for Onitsha from Mali.
Broader Ministerial Strides:
Beyond direct combat operations, Minister Abubakar emphasized achievements in:
- Enhanced Synergy: Establishment of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre to improve inter-service collaboration.
- Defence Modernization: Procurement of defence equipment and improving local defence production to reduce import dependency.3
- Troop Welfare & Capacity: Improving conditions for frontline personnel and building their operational efficiency.
- International Cooperation: Strengthening partnerships with neighbouring countries and international bodies like the MNJTF, AU, and ECOWAS standby forces, particularly in addressing the new dynamics posed by the Alliance of Sahel States.
- Civil-Military Relations: Developing frameworks to institutionalize Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC).
The Minister concluded by reiterating the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to President Tinubu’s vision of a secure and prosperous Nigeria. The achievements, he noted, demonstrate a significant leap in the right direction, combining military might with strategic socio-economic and diplomatic initiatives to ensure lasting peace. This holistic approach, focusing on both security and development, signals a determined effort to overcome Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges.
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