By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has charged troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustain the operational tempo against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements following fresh successes recorded across the country.
Oluyede gave the charge as troops operating under various joint task forces recorded operational gains between October 9 and 15, 2026, rescuing kidnapped victims, neutralising suspected terrorists and kidnappers, arresting criminal suspects and recovering firearms, ammunition and other operational items.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the operations were conducted across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East geopolitical zones as part of efforts to disrupt criminal networks and restore security.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on terrorist elements and their support networks in Borno and Adamawa states, arresting suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators while recovering weapons, ammunition and vehicles.
The troops also recorded several surrenders, including suspected terrorist fighters and their family members. In one instance, Abacha Akura surrendered in Monguno, Borno State, with an AK-101 rifle and 31 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition after escaping from a terrorist camp in Tumbunma Village, Marte Local Government Area.
Troops also repelled a terrorist attack in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, neutralising one assailant and subsequently recovering additional rifles, a PKT machine gun, ammunition and a mortar bomb during exploitation operations.
In another operation, troops rescued two abducted persons, Bello Ibrahim and Ibrahim Adamu, around the Kuranabasa axis of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified operations against armed groups in Kaduna and Sokoto states, forcing suspected terrorists to abandon a kidnapped victim and recovering firearms during separate engagements.
The troops also arrested a suspect, Yusuf Iliya Sani, in Kaduna State over alleged involvement in kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault and killings. In Sokoto State, operations in Tangaza Local Government Area resulted in the neutralisation of suspected terrorists and the recovery of AK-pattern rifles and magazines.
The military also recorded successes in the North Central, where troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested suspected arms traffickers and recovered locally fabricated firearms, an AK-47 barrel, a magazine and ammunition in Plateau State.
Two additional suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Bassa Local Government Area, while another suspect was apprehended over alleged links to previous violent attacks and other criminal activities.
Similarly, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 18 kidnapped victims in Kwara State after pursuing their abductors in the Eruku–Egbe–Koro Forest area of Ekiti Local Government Area. The abductors reportedly abandoned the victims and fled into the forest following the troops’ intervention.
In the South South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued two abducted persons in separate operations in Edo State. The victims, identified as Mrs Halima Ibrahim and Prince Michael Akao, were rescued along the Okene–Okpella Road and in Sasaro Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, respectively.
During the operation in Sasaro Forest, troops neutralised three suspected kidnappers and recovered three locally fabricated firearms, nine cartridges and other items.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested three suspects in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, including a person identified by the military as a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) kingpin. Two motorcycles and cash were recovered during the operation.
The Defence Headquarters said the operations reflected the Armed Forces’ continuing efforts to protect lives and property, dismantle criminal networks and deny terrorists and other armed groups freedom of action.
Oluyede commended the resilience of military personnel and urged them to remain fiercely vigilant while sustaining pressure on criminal elements across all operational theatres.
He also called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence-sharing frameworks and deepen operational collaboration to improve responses to security threats.
The CDS further urged the media to promote accurate and patriotic reportage capable of bolstering national morale, while calling on traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to support military operations by providing timely information on criminal and subversive activities.
He emphasised that national security remained a collective responsibility requiring sustained cooperation among the military, other security agencies and the Nigerian public.
