The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has revealed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have killed more than 3,000 terrorists and bandits in the last two years. During the same period, security forces secured the surrender of over 120,000 insurgents and successfully rescued more than 2,000 kidnapped victims.
General Musa made this known on Tuesday at a two-day interactive session in Kaduna. The event, focused on strengthening government–citizen engagement, was organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
He described the progress as a reflection of ongoing commitment, sacrifice, and collaboration among security forces, intelligence agencies, and local communities. According to him, sustained pressure on terrorist enclaves and coordinated operations across key regions have disrupted enemy logistics, degraded their leadership structures, and restored relative peace to several troubled areas.
Musa emphasised that although the threat has not been fully eliminated, the military has continued to gain ground across all theatres. He credited improved coordination among security agencies and timely intelligence sharing for most of the success stories.
Over the past two years, joint operations across the Northeast, North West, and North Central zones have intensified. These missions targeted hideouts, supply routes, and major operational cells of terror groups. Ground troops, supported by air and naval assets, have executed precise offensives, striking deep into enemy territory.
The CDS also praised the role of surrendered insurgents in weakening the momentum of terror groups. Many of them, according to him, provided critical information that led to further breakthroughs. He added that thousands of repentant fighters have now entered de-radicalisation and reintegration programmes.
While celebrating the gains, Musa acknowledged that security challenges still exist, especially in rural communities. He called for continued public support, intelligence sharing, and collaboration with state governments to sustain peace-building efforts.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain focused, determined, and capable of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and internal stability.
