By Nkechi Eze
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained its offensive against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the country, rescuing scores of abducted persons, arresting suspected collaborators and recovering weapons and explosives during operations conducted between September 11 and 17, 2026.
According to an official statement signed by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops operating across the various theatres intensified clearance, interdiction, rescue and raid operations in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained operations against terrorism in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, arresting six suspected members of a notorious kidnap syndicate at Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The suspects reportedly confessed to kidnapping more than seven victims within the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas and killing those who failed to meet ransom demands.
Troops also rescued 14 abductees around Armuda and Gava areas of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State between September 12 and 13. Among those rescued was Mallam Sadiq, the Chief Imam of Ngoshe town, who had been abducted during an attack on March 3, 2026.
The troops further rescued a woman who escaped from terrorist captivity after five months, alongside two abducted minors who had spent six months in captivity at Suyaka Camp on the Mandara Mountains.
Two family members were also liberated along the Gwoza-Limankara Road, while a repentant terrorist surrendered at Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area with an AK-47 rifle, a hand grenade and an improvised explosive device (IED).
Two other terrorist fighters from the Bula Daloye enclave surrendered to troops in Bama Local Government Area with three AK-47 rifles and other weapons.
The statement said troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators, informants and spies across the theatre, including a suspect accused of providing terrorists with information on military convoy movements at Kadauri in Kaga Local Government Area.
Another suspected terrorist was arrested along the Dikwa-Ajiri Main Supply Route while allegedly planning to plant an IED near a military outpost. Other suspected collaborators were arrested at Monguno, Kukawa and Dikwa.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto States.
During a clearance operation around Gumki village towards the Nigeria-Niger border in Arewa Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a machine gun, rifle, ammunition, four motorcycles and other items.
Troops also intercepted terrorists allegedly preparing to attack communities around Matazu and Karaduwa areas of Katsina State, neutralising two of them.
Several rescue operations were equally recorded, including the recovery of abducted traders along the Ruwan Godiya-Mobai Road in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, three kidnap victims at Danhonu 2 Community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and 10 abducted persons at Unguwan Rimi Village in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Troops also rescued two victims and their child who escaped from their captors along the Alikere-Yankara Road in Faskari, as well as three kidnap victims at Gidan Gulbi Village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The military further arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, collaborators and informants linked to a notorious terrorist kingpin operating in the region.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded successes against terrorism and kidnapping in Kwara and Niger States.
Three terrorists were neutralised during an operation around the Kpada/Lade District border in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, with firearms recovered. Thirty-five rustled cattle were also recovered and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.
Two additional terrorists were neutralised during a patrol in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where troops recovered a machine gun and ammunition.
At Muchiya Village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, troops made contact with terrorists on September 15, forcing them to abandon their victims. Twenty-two kidnap victims were rescued and reunited with their families, while three motorcycles were recovered.
Troops also cleared 12 IEDs in Borgu and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Niger and Kwara States during the period. Nine of the devices were found along the Main Supply Route between Machan-Gyada and Masaka villages, with the affected roads subsequently declared safe for vehicular movement.
In a joint operation with the Nigeria Police Force and local security groups, troops arrested four suspects at Pissa in Borgu Local Government Area, including two persons allegedly impersonating military and police personnel.
The suspects reportedly confessed that terrorist leaders in Sokoto and Katsina States had sent them to spy on troop positions and recover firearms.
Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops sustained operations against kidnapping and armed criminality in Benue, Kogi and Taraba States.
Four suspects earlier arrested in Kogi State were identified as alleged informants and logistics suppliers to terrorists operating around the Asinwe and Isanlu areas. Two of them, described as charcoal dealers, reportedly confessed to assisting terrorists with logistics procurement, while another allegedly admitted to facilitating multiple kidnapping operations and receiving a share of ransom payments running into millions of naira.
Troops also rescued a passenger and recovered an abandoned vehicle following a distress call along the Anpkechi-Ogobia Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
A suspected second-in-command to a wanted criminal gang leader was subsequently arrested at Abako Village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Six suspects were also intercepted along the Wukari-Makurdi Road in Taraba State, with ammunition recovered, while a cordon-and-search operation in forests in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State led to the discovery of ammunition in suspected terrorist hideouts.
In Kaduna and Plateau States, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE continued operations against kidnapping.
Troops and local security groups rescued an abducted resident and his wife at Ateli Village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while a separate operation around Tayu Village resulted in the rescue of a two-year-old child abducted alongside his mother. The child was subsequently reunited with his father.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested a suspected kidnapper at Obaretin Community along the Benin-Sapele Road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
An AK-47 rifle with ammunition and other illegal items were recovered from the suspect.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against illegal oil bunkering and secessionist activities in Imo State.
Troops discovered and dismantled an illegal bunkering site near Well Head 17/20 in Egbema West, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area, destroying approximately 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil and structures used by the operators.
A suspected secessionist IED fabrication expert, who was reportedly on the military’s watchlist, was also arrested along the Umulolo Junction-Linka-Ihube axis near Okigwe. The suspect was allegedly travelling to procure materials for IED production and reportedly confessed during preliminary interrogation to his affiliation with the secessionist group.
The Director Defence Media Operations said the AFN remained committed to confronting the evolving security challenges facing the nation through sustained operations across the various theatres.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their courage, professionalism and sacrifice in neutralising terrorists, rescuing kidnapped and abducted citizens, dismantling terrorist logistics and informant networks, and dislodging economic saboteurs and secessionist elements from their hideouts.
Oluyede also commiserated with victims who suffered injuries or hardship during the encounters and commended the collaboration between troops, other security agencies and stakeholders.
The CDS further urged Nigerians, traditional institutions and community leaders to sustain their partnership with the military by providing timely and credible information, while commending the media for its continued fair and balanced coverage of military operations.
He reaffirmed the determination of the Armed Forces to sustain the operations until lasting peace, security and stability are achieved across the country.
