Over 8,000 Terrorists, Bandits Neutralised in 2024, Says Matawalle
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has disclosed that no fewer than 8,000 terrorists and armed bandits were neutralised across Nigeria in the year 2024, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, the minister stated that the achievement was a result of intensified military operations and a renewed focus on strategic counter-terrorism efforts by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, we have adopted more proactive and aggressive strategies to tackle insecurity. As a result, over 8,000 terrorists and bandits have been neutralised in various theatres of operation across the country in 2024 alone,” Matawalle announced.
The minister highlighted that the military’s operations were particularly focused in the North-East, North-West, and parts of the North-Central, where insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping have remained persistent threats for over a decade.
He cited ongoing operations such as Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East and Operation Hadarin Daji in the North-West as major contributors to the improved security landscape.
“Our troops, with the support of intelligence agencies and local vigilante groups, have been able to dismantle major camps, intercept weapons, and rescue hundreds of kidnapped victims,” he said.
Matawalle also pointed to increased collaboration between the federal government, regional governments, and international partners as a key element of the successes recorded.
He praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their dedication, despite difficult terrains and often dangerous conditions.
He added that President Tinubu’s administration has committed substantial resources to modernizing military hardware and boosting troop welfare.
“This administration is not only investing in weapons and equipment but also in training, intelligence, and the welfare of our troops. We believe that a motivated and well-equipped military is critical to ending insecurity,” he noted.
Looking ahead, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining the momentum against insurgency, while also addressing the root causes of insecurity such as poverty, unemployment, and poor education in affected regions.
He urged Nigerians to support the military and report suspicious activities in their communities, stressing that national security is a collective responsibility.
“Victory over terrorism will not come overnight, but with unity, resilience, and continued investment in security, we will achieve lasting peace,” Matawalle concluded.
Nigeria has faced a complex security crisis for over a decade, ranging from Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, to rural banditry and kidnapping for ransom in the North-West and North-Central regions. President Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, has promised to make security a top priority of his administration.
