Last week, US President Donald Trump warned of possible military action against Nigeria following the designation of the country as a Country of Particular Concern CPC. The remarks provoked strong reactions domestically and abroad and prompted a diplomatic dispute with the United States.
Nigeria’s security agencies have responded by ramping up counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations across multiple states. Military statements and operational updates show a string of recent actions aimed at dismantling militant hideouts, rescuing abducted civilians, and disrupting criminal networks.
Key operations and outcomes
Troops foil kidnap plot and rescue ten in Benue
On November 3 2025, forces conducting Operation Whirl Stroke reported they foiled an abduction along the Zaki Biam to Wukari road and rescued ten victims after receiving credible intelligence. One rescued person is Warrant Officer John Richard of 6 Brigade Band Jalingo. Two other victims remain missing as search efforts continue.
Troops repel Boko Haram drone assault in Borno and neutralise attackers
Early on Tuesday, troops from Operation Hadin Kai said they repelled a coordinated Boko Haram ISWAP assault on the Forward Operating Base Kangar in Mallam Fatori Borno State. The attackers used armed drones and mortars. Reinforcements including Sector 3 and support from Nigerien fighter aircraft helped repulse the assault. Six terrorists were confirmed killed and weapons and explosive devices recovered.
Soldiers kill 19 bandits in Kano encounter
Acting on intelligence, military units engaged an attempted bandit incursion in Shanono local government area of Kano State on November 1 2025. Nineteen assailants were killed after a fierce firefight. Two soldiers and one local vigilante were killed during the clash. Several motorcycles and mobile phones were recovered.
Army rescues two hostages and recovers ransom in Kogi
Troops of 12 Brigade said they rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered N3.8 million in ransom during a clearance operation in Kogi State on November 2 2025. The operation followed intelligence about abductions along the Itobe to Adumu to Ejule axis and forced kidnappers to abandon the victims while fleeing with gunshot wounds.
North east operations neutralise militants and disrupt attacks
Between October 25 and October 31 2025, forces in the north east reported neutralising insurgents in Kukawa Gwoza and Limankara and recovered arms and ammunition. In one mission soldiers destroyed a vehicle borne explosive device in Kukawa and intercepted illicit fuel and arms in Adamawa. Five suspected collaborators were arrested during a cordon and search in Madagali local government area.
Nationwide raids rescue 17 victims and arrest 20 suspects
On November 2 troops reported simultaneous operations across the North East North West North Central and South South regions that resulted in the neutralisation of militants the rescue of 17 abducted persons and the arrest of 20 suspects. Operations targeted insurgent enclaves kidnappers and illegal oil refining sites. In Zamfara 11 abductees were rescued while other units rescued victims and made arrests in Benue Plateau Bayelsa and Imo.
Troops arrest suspected cult members in Makurdi
On October 30 2025 forces from Operation Whirl Stroke raided a suspected cultists den in the North Bank area of Makurdi arresting seven suspects and recovering firearms ammunition a laptop and items described as charms. The suspects are in custody pending prosecution.
Analysis from a regional diplomat
John Usanga Deputy Spokesperson of the League of African Ambassadors cautioned against framing the violence solely in religious or ethnic terms and urged attention to underlying drivers such as land seizure and forced displacement. Speaking on Arise Television he said:
“It should be of concern to all parties concerned that people are being killed.
“And let me tell you this we are looking at the religious angle and the ethnicity angle in this whole thing we are forgetting that this thing is also indicative of people taking territories dislodging people from their lands and taking over their lands either for whatever reason.
“So we should focus more on what is not too obvious than what would divide us and then see how we can you know eliminate this problem.
“The fight against terrorism banditry is not a regular war. You know Nigeria is very competent when it comes to regular war. We’ve gone to deliver some countries out of problems regular military problems. I’m not a military personnel.
“But this war is not a war that you can really pinpoint to a position or this one declaring that this is this. No this is a war that people just come guerrilla war strike and disappear.
“If you have to try to eliminate these people you have to take into consideration the collateral damage that could result because these people also mingle with the general population.
“Are you going to take out the whole population Because you want to fish out the terrorists which is what I think the idea that President Trump is you know kind of cooking.”
