…condemns killing of commuter in Zamfara
By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has commended troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their resilience and operational successes in ongoing military operations across the country, following the rescue of 119 abducted travellers in Borno State and the clearance of several terrorist enclaves.
Oluyede also urged troops to sustain the offensive against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups, while maintaining professionalism and respect for human rights in their operations.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military recorded the successes during coordinated operations conducted across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones between November 6 and 12, 2026.
The report disclosed that the 119 victims, comprising 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children, were rescued on November 6 after troops pursued terrorists who had abducted them around Buratai in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The abductors had reportedly blocked the Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road before escaping with their captives. However, troops mobilised and pursued them along the Mangari-Dora Road, forcing them to abandon the victims.
During the operation, troops also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the terrorists.
In other operations under Operation HADIN KAI, troops repelled terrorist attacks, rescued additional abductees and recovered weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a PKT machine gun and ammunition in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
The military also recorded the surrender of four terrorist fighters and 13 members of their families at different locations in Borno State between November 6 and 8.
One of the fighters surrendered with an FN rifle and seven rounds of ammunition, while troops intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist supply networks through the arrest of suspected informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA cleared several communities and adjoining forests in Zamfara State, rescuing five kidnapped victims in separate operations.
However, the troops discovered the lifeless body of a commuter following an attack and abduction along the Kombo-Gurusu Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.
In Katsina State, troops neutralised a terrorist during an encounter at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area and recovered an AK-47 rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones.
Two suspected terrorists, a father and his son, were also arrested with an AK-47 rifle at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Similarly, troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE sustained offensive operations against armed groups and kidnapping networks in Bauchi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States.
At Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, troops cleared terrorist camps and destroyed structures providing support to the armed groups, recovering 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, two motorcycles, radios, mobile phones and camouflage uniforms.
Troops also neutralised terrorists in separate encounters in Bauchi and Plateau States.
In a related development, the Emir of Bogwas handed over six AK-47 rifles and six magazines to troops in Alkaleri. The weapons were reportedly surrendered to the traditional ruler by armed elements following the military operation at Dajin Madam.
In Nasarawa State, troops raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout around Wayo Community in Wamba Local Government Area and arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of a resident at Gada Biyu in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded significant gains during clearance operations in the Kainji Lake National Park in Niger State, where they neutralised two terrorists, repelled two probing attacks and arrested 11 persons suspected of collaborating with terrorists.
The troops also detonated five IEDs during the initial operation and cleared another 32 explosives along the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana axes.
In the Old Oyo National Park, Oyo State, troops operating alongside local security groups recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun following an encounter with suspected terrorists. They also discovered the body of a suspected criminal and destroyed temporary shelters used as hideouts.
In Kwara State, troops raided suspected terrorist collaborators’ residences at Oke-Ode Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, recovering five Dane guns and nine cartridges.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA foiled an alleged attempt by suspected cultists to ambush oil tankers at Awara Community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The troops engaged the suspects, forcing them to flee into the forest with gunshot wounds, and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, two magazines and 36 rounds of ammunition.
Commending the troops, Oluyede also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, local security groups and traditional institutions in the ongoing fight against insecurity, particularly recognising the Emir of Bogwas for supporting military operations.
The CDS extended condolences to the family of the commuter killed during the attack in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State and wished personnel wounded during the operations a speedy recovery.
He further urged Nigerians to support security operations by providing timely and credible intelligence, reporting suspicious movements and refusing to provide shelter or supplies to criminal groups.
Oluyede also called on the media to maintain responsible and balanced reporting, warning against the glorification of violence or publication of information capable of compromising ongoing military operations.
