MILITARY NEUTRALISES OVER 60 TERRORISTS, RESCUES SCORES OF KIDNAP VICTIMS IN NATIONWIDE OPERATIONS

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralised scores of terrorists, rescued several kidnapped victims, arrested suspected criminal collaborators and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition during nationwide military operations conducted between October 30 and November 5, 2026.

The operations, carried out across the North East, North West, North Central and South East, also led to the surrender of several terrorists and their family members, as troops intensified offensives against terrorist groups, kidnappers, armed gangs and other criminal networks.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on the weekly operational activities of the Armed Forces, noting that troops sustained pressure on criminal elements across various theatres.

In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled terrorist attacks on military positions at Buni Yadi in Yobe State and Bitta in Borno State.

Following the failed attack on Buni Yadi, troops recovered 48 terrorist bodies, 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.

At Bitta, troops also repelled an attempted infiltration by terrorists and recovered seven bodies, four AK-47 rifles, an RPG launcher, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio.

The military also recorded the surrender of 12 terrorist fighters and family members at different locations in Borno State between November 2 and 4, while troops rescued a female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains.

Additionally, 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested across the theatre. Another 36 suspects were apprehended during joint search operations conducted by troops and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at motor parks in Maiduguri.

In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued several kidnapped victims during operations in Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna States.

In Kebbi State, troops rescued seven kidnapped victims after pursuing terrorists towards Rambo Village in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area. Four other victims were rescued following an encounter with terrorists along Wasagu-Falfala Road.

Troops also rescued seven victims during operations around Geso and Ayan Geso, while two suspects linked to kidnapping and cattle rustling were arrested in Kaduna State.

Similarly, a suspected terrorist who reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during a clash with a rival faction was arrested at a clinic in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State during a joint operation with the Department of State Services.

In the North Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a suspected terrorist during a stop-and-search operation at Kukawa Village in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The suspect was found with an AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm ammunition and reportedly confessed to belonging to a terrorist syndicate.

Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops intensified operations against kidnappers and armed gangs in Benue, Kogi and Taraba States.

Operations around Edimogbo and Obele forests resulted in the neutralisation of five suspected kidnappers and the recovery of six AK-47 rifles, 19 magazines, more than 5,300 rounds of ammunition, motorcycles and other items.

Troops also rescued six kidnapped civilians, including a baby, following a response to a distress call at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Other successes included the arrest of a suspected member of the Konyo Boys bandit group in Taraba State, the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and the surrender of a terrorist, his wife and two children in Kogi State.

Troops also arrested a suspected logistics supplier linked to the late terrorist leader, Kachallah Baccujo, as well as a suspected gunrunner in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 15 kidnapped victims during an encounter with bandits around Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.

The troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles, ₦4.1 million and ammunition.

In Kwara State, troops and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria neutralised two suspected Ansaru terrorists during an ambush at Nanu Village in Kaiama Local Government Area.

Troops also arrested an injured suspected kidnapper in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State and rescued three persons who escaped from their captors during operations in Lema-Ndeji Forest, Kwara State.

In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued a kidnapped victim following an attack by gunmen at Okwe Ubahu Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

In Anambra State, troops recovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges during a search operation at a shop near the Marine Outpost in Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area.

Reacting to the operational successes, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their courage, resilience and sacrifices in the various theatres of operation.

He also paid tribute to an officer, a soldier and a civilian hunter who lost their lives in the line of duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would remain remembered. He wished wounded personnel a speedy recovery.

The Defence Chief further acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies and stressed the importance of sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations in tackling insecurity.

He called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to support security agencies with credible information on suspicious movements and activities.

The CDS also urged citizens to deny criminal groups access to logistics and other forms of support, while warning against mob action, misinformation and the spread of disinformation.

He encouraged troops to remain vigilant, disciplined and combat-ready, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain ongoing operations until lasting peace and security are restored across the country.

.