A coordinated security campaign across Kogi, Kwara, and Sokoto states has resulted in the rescue of 309 hostages, the arrest of 129 suspected criminals, and the killing of 55 terrorists, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed on Tuesday. Authorities also reported ongoing threats in Sokoto State, where residents of several communities have fled due to warnings from armed bandit groups. The government has urged citizens to remain vigilant and rely only on verified information.
Speaking on Channels Television, Police Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin said the 55 terrorists were neutralized during armed confrontations after refusing to surrender, while 129 suspects were arrested and are now under investigation. He confirmed that no casualties were recorded among security operatives.
The operation involved multiple police units, including the Police Mobile Force, Intelligence Response Team, Special Intervention Squad, and Air Wing, working in coordination with the military. Hundeyin emphasized that months of intelligence gathering, careful planning, and coordinated deployment were key to the mission’s success.
“The terrain was heavily forested and inaccessible by road in many areas, requiring aerial support to dismantle criminal hideouts,” Hundeyin explained. “The operation will continue to eliminate remaining threats and ensure safety for local communities.”
In Sokoto State, community leaders in the eastern senatorial district reported that over 20 settlements, including Tidibale, were deserted following threats from notorious bandit leader Bello Turji. Many residents have fled to neighboring communities in Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
Secretary of the Sokoto Eastern Zone Development Association, Muazu Shamaki, appealed for government intervention to allow residents to return safely. “Residents are hoping security agencies would help in pushing back the terrorists so that they could return to their ancestral homes,” he said.
Social media videos have circulated showing residents fleeing in overloaded vehicles, though authorities caution that the exact number of displaced persons has not been independently verified.
The United States confirmed precision airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist camps in Sokoto State on 26 December 2025. The strikes involved 16 GPS-guided munitions deployed via MQ-9 Reaper drones in collaboration with Nigerian authorities and were authorized by President Bola Tinubu.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said debris from the strikes fell in Jabo, Tambuwal LGA (Sokoto) and Offa (Kwara), but no civilian casualties were reported. He emphasized that the operations were joint and non-religious in nature, countering misinformation circulating online.
“These were people who decided to fight to the end, so 55 of them were neutralized,” Hundeyin said, highlighting the effectiveness of the operation.
Northern Nigeria has long faced threats from armed groups, bandits, and terrorist organizations. In recent months, joint operations between Nigerian security forces and international partners, including the US, have intensified to dismantle terrorist enclaves, rescue hostages, and restore law and order in remote regions.
Authorities have urged residents in affected states to remain alert and avoid hazardous areas, report suspicious activity through official security channels. And refrain from relying on unverified social media posts or rumours.
Security agencies reaffirmed that operations will continue until remaining terrorist enclaves are dismantled, and they stressed the importance of community cooperation in ensuring lasting safety and security.
Hundeyin concluded:
“Our priority is to protect citizens, dismantle criminal networks, and ensure that communities affected by banditry and terrorism are fully restored to peace and normalcy.”