Nigerian troops reported neutralising more than 40 terrorists and freeing 72 hostages between 3 April and 9 April, according to Director of Defence Media Operations Maj‑Gen Michael Onoja. He briefed the press in Abuja on Friday, adding that large caches of weapons and illicit materials were also recovered.
In the North‑East, Operation Hadin Kai pushed back coordinated attacks in Borno, especially around Dikwa and Benisheikh, using sustained artillery and mortar fire. An ambush in Gwoza eliminated a terrorist and yielded ammunition, while a heavy assault on Benisheikh cost four soldiers, including Brigade Commander Brig‑Gen O.O Braimah.
The North‑West's Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 49 victims, among them infants, and detained suspected collaborators of kingpin Ado Aleiro. Forces also reclaimed arms and repelled assaults in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna, responding to distress calls.
Operation Enduring Peace in the North‑Central zone neutralised several fighters, ten of them in a major clash in Plateau, and rescued 21 hostages while destroying camps and seizing weapons in Benue and Plateau. Operation Savannah Shield halted an attack in Kwara without casualties.
In the South‑East, Operation Udo Ka recovered improvised explosive devices and arrested alleged IPOB/ESN collaborators in Abia and Anambra; a joint effort in Imo eliminated a terrorist and razed a large camp. Operation Delta Safe in the South‑South intercepted stolen petroleum, dismantled illegal bunkering sites and recovered arms in Delta and Rivers, also rescuing victims and retrieving ransom money.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Olufemi Oluyede expressed condolences to families of the fallen, promising that the sacrifices would not be in vain and that operations would be intensified to protect lives and critical infrastructure.
The death of Brigade Commander Brig‑Gen O.O Braimah highlights the stark human cost behind the headline‑grabbing tally of terrorists killed. While the armed forces celebrate a 40‑plus militant neutralisation, the loss of a senior officer reveals the perilous nature of the campaign.
The offensive spanned six distinct operations, each targeting different threats—from insurgents in the North‑East to illegal bunkering in the South‑South. Coordinated actions in Borno, Plateau, Delta and other states suggest a concerted effort to dismantle both armed groups and their logistical networks, a response to the persistent insecurity that has plagued large swathes of the country for years.
For civilians in affected regions, the immediate benefit may be a reduction in kidnappings and attacks, especially for families of the 72 rescued hostages. However, communities near former terrorist camps could face displacement or retaliation, and the families of fallen soldiers, like those of Brig‑Gen Braimah, will bear the emotional and economic burden of loss
