During a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, clarified that the military does not have the authority to grant amnesty to surrendered terrorists and bandits. Responding to reports of bandit commanders surrendering in Katsina State, Kangye explained that while these surrenders show the success of military operations, decisions regarding amnesty rest strictly with other relevant government agencies. Additionally, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, addressed the ongoing detention of community leaders in Okuama, Delta State, following a tragic March 2024 ambush that killed seventeen soldiers. Gusau stated that the Defence Headquarters had not received any court orders or official requests for visits regarding the detainees, noting that the military would respond appropriately once proper legal procedures are followed. Highlighting recent operational successes, Kangye revealed that troops rescued over five hundred kidnapped victims, arrested over one thousand suspects, and witnessed the surrender of hundreds of terrorists and their families. He noted the elimination of several notorious terrorist leaders, including Amir Abu Fatimah, Kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada, Nwachi Eze, and Yellow Danbokkolo, alongside the arrest of wanted criminals like Buhari Umar, Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, and Shittu Muazu Bakassi. Finally, under Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta, security forces successfully protected national resources by destroying over one hundred illegal refining sites and recovering stolen crude oil and petroleum products valued at more than 3.5 billion Naira.
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