Military Operations: 17 Terrorists Surrender as Troops Arrest Suspects, Disrupt Logistics Networks

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says its troops recorded significant successes in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats across the country between September 4 and 10, 2026.

The military disclosed that 17 terrorist fighters, alongside their family members, surrendered to troops in Borno State during sustained operations in the North-East.

According to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the terrorists surrendered between September 4 and 7 in Monguno town and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Onoja said the terrorists cited harsh living conditions, hunger and lack of basic provisions in their enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for abandoning the groups.

He added that troops on September 8 intercepted a female abductee and her one-year-old child near Gava in Gwoza LGA.

The victim, an indigene of Chinene, reportedly told troops that she had been forced into child marriage by her captors in 2025.

The military said troops also arrested several suspected terrorist fighters, informants and spies across the North-East theatre during the period under review.

Among those arrested was a suspect with a gunshot wound who was apprehended while loitering near a military location in Gwoza.

Other arrests were made along the Biu-Mandaraugirau Road in Biu LGA, Monguno town and Hong LGA of Adamawa State.

Troops also disrupted terrorist logistics networks, arresting a suspected supplier in Benisheikh, Kaga LGA, who was allegedly transporting medical and veterinary supplies to a terrorist kingpin.

Three other suspects disguised as farmers and hunters were arrested at Mafa in Dikwa LGA on September 6. Troops recovered pharmaceuticals, motorcycle spare parts and other items concealed in knapsack sprayers.

Similarly, two suspected logistics suppliers were arrested at Gumsa Bridge in Geidam LGA of Yobe State, where troops recovered a large consignment of motorcycle spare parts allegedly destined for terrorists operating between Yunusari and Mobbar.

In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The military said troops, supported by an attack helicopter, raided a suspected hideout belonging to a notorious terrorist kingpin in Yantumaki Forest, Danmusa LGA of Katsina State, on September 4.

One terrorist was neutralised while others fled. Troops also recovered motorcycles and medical supplies allegedly intended for the group.

In Sokoto State, troops engaged terrorists at Magarya Forest in Tangaza LGA, recovering two motorcycles, a rifle and a machine gun.

They also engaged marauding terrorists along Gundumi Road in Isa LGA, forcing them to withdraw into Gundumi Forest and recovering another rifle.

In Zamfara State, troops foiled an attempted abduction of a senior nursing school staff member and his family at Yerima Quarters in Kaura Namoda LGA following a distress call.

The military further disclosed that troops intercepted a truck along the Gurbi-Zurmi Road in Jibia LGA of Katsina State on September 6 and discovered four motorcycles concealed inside consignments of fuel and oil destined for Zamfara State.

The driver was arrested for investigation, while follow-up operations the following day resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects and recovery of additional exhibits.

A suspected spy was also arrested at Dange Market in Dange Shuni LGA of Sokoto State on September 8.

According to the military, the suspect attempted to offer troops financial inducement to evade arrest, but the soldiers rejected the offer and proceeded with the arrest.

Troops also arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State on September 9 and recovered radio equipment allegedly linked to a reprisal attack on residents.

The following day, troops intercepted a suspected ammunition courier along the Birnin Gwari axis and recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed in her belongings.

In Niger State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD continued patrols to consolidate previous gains against terrorist elements.

The military said troops on a fighting patrol on the outskirts of Dekara Village in Borgu LGA recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition allegedly abandoned by terrorists who had attacked a military location on August 21.

The recovered weapon remains in military custody.

In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations in Edo State.

The military said troops raided a Fulani camp in Sasaro/Agor Forest, Akoko-Edo LGA, on September 4 and arrested four suspected kidnappers.

On September 7, troops, working with the Nigeria Police and local security groups, engaged suspected kidnappers at a ransom collection point along Juju Junction, behind Ambrose Alli University in Esan West LGA.

The suspects reportedly abandoned their victims and fled into nearby bushes, with one of them believed to have sustained a gunshot wound.

In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against secessionist elements and other armed criminals in Anambra and Enugu states.

On September 4, troops raided a location at Chike Onochie Crescent along the Abakaliki Expressway in Enugu East LGA, arresting two suspects allegedly using their phones to plan attacks against security agencies in the state.

A separate raid at Gariki Akwata Market in the same local government area led to the arrest of another suspect and recovery of a locally made pistol and knives.

On September 7, troops responding to a distress call at Umuoba Anam in Anambra West LGA recovered a locally fabricated pistol from the residence of a suspect reportedly sighted with a firearm

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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops across the various theatres for their operational successes.

The CDS particularly praised the troops for neutralising terrorists, disrupting logistics and arms-trafficking networks, securing the surrender of terrorist fighters and their families, and rescuing kidnapping victims.

He also commended the collaboration between the military, other security agencies and stakeholders, describing the synergy as critical to strengthening the nation's response to terrorism, kidnapping and secessionist agitation.

Oluyede urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing timely and useful information to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations.

The Chief of Defence Staff also commended the media for what he described as professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations.

He assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would sustain the current tempo of operations while adhering to its Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement, International Humanitarian Law and other international best practices.