DHQ cautions against peace deals with bandits, terrorists
The Defence Headquarters has cautioned communities in Northern Nigeria against seeking peace deals with bandits and terrorists for protection, stating that the military is not aware of such arrangements and does not support them.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, made this known on Thursday while responding to questions during the biweekly briefing in Abuja.
Reports have emerged that some communities, having lost confidence in security agencies, have opted to negotiate with armed groups imposing levies on them.
Specifically, community leaders in Jibia, Batsari and Safana local government areas of Katsina State reached a peace deal with bandit kingpins terrorising their villages earlier in the month.
However, Kangye dismissed any notion of military endorsement for such deals.
“To the best of our knowledge, we have never had any peace deal with bandits as mentioned. Why do communities want to do that? I don’t think they want to seek approval from the military to do so. And the military, I don’t think they are aware of that,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to conducting its operations according to set rules and procedures, emphasizing that security forces would not stand by while criminal elements threaten lives and critical infrastructure.
Providing updates on recent military operations, General Kangye disclosed that troops had neutralized scores of terrorists and arrested several others, including 23 individuals involved in oil theft.
“In the South-South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of N461,783,868. The breakdown includes: 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 36 crude oil cooking ovens, 42 dugout pits, 28 boats, 33 storage tanks, 65 drums, and 21 illegal refining sites,” he said.
He further revealed that troops recovered a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, pump-action shotguns, RPG tubes, and various ammunition.
General Kangye also announced the handover of 75 rehabilitated individuals—comprising seven adult males, 34 adult females, and 34 children—to representatives of the Borno State Government in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
“The week also witnessed the handover of rehabilitated terrorists to the Borno State Government. On 10 March 2025, troops handed over a total of 75 persons comprising 7 adult males, 34 adult females and 34 children to the representatives of Borno State Government in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
“Between March 10 and 19, 2025, scores of terrorists, including adult males, females, and children, surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by our forces,” he said.
Responding to reports of military personnel invading electricity distribution companies, the DHQ spokesperson maintained that the armed forces uphold discipline and do not tolerate unprofessional conduct.
“The military does not and never tolerates any uncoordinated report of soldiers. The military has awarded punishments for what they have done. In some cases, they were even dismissed from the army, depending on the gravity of the offence. These issues are usually handled at the unit level,” he explained.
