The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have sustained offensive operations across the country, arresting suspected terrorists and criminal collaborators, recovering arms and ammunition, disrupting terrorist logistics networks and rescuing kidnapping victims between September 4 and 10, 2026.
According to an official statement signed by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops operating under various Joint Task Forces maintained sustained kinetic operations against terrorism, kidnapping, armed criminality and secessionist activities across the six geopolitical zones during the period.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI operating across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states recorded the surrender of 17 terrorist fighters and their family members in Monguno and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Borno State.
The surrendered fighters reportedly attributed their decision to abandon the terrorist enclaves to harsh living conditions, hunger and lack of basic provisions in the Mandara Mountains.
Troops also rescued a female abductee and her one-year-old child near Gava in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The victim disclosed that she had been forced into child marriage by her captors in 2025.
The operation further yielded the arrest of suspected terrorist fighters, informants, spies and logistics suppliers across the theatre, with troops recovering medical and veterinary supplies, pharmaceuticals, motorcycle spare parts and other materials allegedly intended for terrorist groups.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops sustained offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, targeting terrorist hideouts and disrupting their movements.
At Yantumaki Forest in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, troops supported by an attack helicopter assaulted a suspected hideout of a terrorist kingpin, neutralising one terrorist while others fled. Motorcycles and medical supplies intended for the terrorists were also recovered.
Troops also recovered firearms and motorcycles during engagements in Sokoto State, while an attempted abduction of a senior nursing school staff member and his family at Yerima Quarters in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State was foiled following a distress call.
Further operations resulted in the interception of a truck carrying four motorcycles concealed within fuel and oil consignments, the arrest of 12 suspects and the recovery of additional exhibits.
In another operation along the Birnin Gwari axis, troops intercepted a suspected ammunition courier and recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed in her belongings.
In Niger State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition abandoned by terrorists following an earlier attack on troops in the Dekara area of Borgu Local Government Area.
The South-South theatre also recorded gains as troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested four suspected kidnappers during a raid on a camp within Sasaro/Agor Forest in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
In a separate operation, troops working with the Nigeria Police and local security groups disrupted a ransom collection operation along Juju Junction behind Ambrose Alli University in Esan West Local Government Area, forcing the suspected kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into nearby bushes.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA troops arrested suspects allegedly involved in planning attacks against security agencies in Enugu State and recovered a locally made pistol and knives during separate raids.
Troops also responded to a distress call in Umuoba Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, where they recovered another locally fabricated pistol from a suspect’s residence.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops across the various theatres for their resilience and successes in neutralising terrorists, disrupting logistics and arms trafficking networks, securing the surrender of terrorist fighters and rescuing kidnapping victims.
Gen. Oluyede also commended the collaboration between the Armed Forces, other security agencies and stakeholders, noting that the synergy remained critical to the country’s collective response to terrorism, kidnapping and secessionist agitation.
He urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing timely and useful information to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations nationwide.
The CDS assured that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations while operating within its Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement, International Humanitarian Law and other international best practices.
