The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on Sunday, issued a defiant warning to terrorists and armed criminals undermining Nigeria’s security, affirming that their defeat is not only inevitable but imminent.
Speaking during an interdenominational service held in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), the Army Chief spoke on the military’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and restoring peace across troubled regions.
“To all those who seek to disrupt the sanctity of our freedom, our heritage of liberty, and our enduring democracy, be assured that your failure is certain and your boast lacks value,” Oluyede declared, reinforcing the Nigerian Army’s motto: Victory is from God Alone.
His statement came amid a series of coordinated military offensives that have yielded significant operational successes across Nigeria. In a statement, Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, the Nigerian Armed Forces announced the neutralisation of a notorious terror leader, Mai Dada, during an operation in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The offensive, carried out between June 25 and 26 under Operation Fasan Yama, was part of a broader sweep across multiple regions, targeting insurgents, kidnappers, and criminal gangs.
In the northwest, troops from 1 Brigade operating under Fasan Yama successfully repelled an ambush and neutralised Mai Dada, a key figure in the region’s terror network. Elsewhere, in Kaduna State, soldiers on escort duty thwarted another ambush in Birnin Gwari, recovering an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds.
In the northeast, troops under Operation Hadin Kai, backed by air support, intercepted insurgents along known withdrawal routes in Gwoza and Bama Local Government Areas of Borno State. These patrols led to the recovery of hundreds of rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, and the destruction of terrorist hideouts.
Meanwhile, in central Nigeria, Operation Whirl Stroke forces rescued five kidnap victims following a firefight in Benue State. In the south-south region, arrests were made in Bayelsa and Edo States involving suspects in possession of illegal arms and suspected logistical supplies meant for terror networks.
Troops in Plateau State, under Operation Safe Haven, conducted raids in multiple villages across Bokkos LGA. With the aid of drones, they navigated mountainous terrains, recovering weapons abandoned by fleeing assailants.
General Oluyede used the NADCEL event not only to commemorate the Army’s 162 years of service but also to call for national unity in the face of adversity. He highlighted the spiritual foundation of the Nigerian Army, emphasising faith and moral conviction as guiding forces for ethical conduct in operations.
“The interdenominational service and Jumat prayers reflect the Army’s acknowledgment of divine guidance and the role of faith in reinforcing the resolve of our soldiers,” he noted.
He further called on Nigerians to rally behind the military’s mission, stressing that “security is a collective responsibility” and that public support was vital in ensuring long-term peace.
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While challenges remain, the Army’s intensified operations signal a strategic pivot toward more aggressive counterinsurgency tactics. With Lt Gen Oluyede at the helm, the Nigerian military appears set on rebuilding both morale and trust through transparency, action, and community engagement.
“The Nigerian Army belongs to all Nigerians,” he concluded. “We expect their maximum support so that we can do our jobs better.”
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