By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian military has rescued more than 100 kidnapped victims and 44 family members of terrorists in a week of intensified operations across the country, the Defence Headquarters said on Friday.
The victims were rescued in separate operations conducted between September 17 and 24 across the North-West, North-Central, North-East and South-East, while troops also arrested terrorists, kidnappers, arms traffickers and suspected collaborators.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement detailing military operations across the country.
According to Onoja, the largest single breakthrough came in Kebbi State, where a Nigerian Air Force jet intercepted terrorists moving with a large number of kidnapped victims in the Bazama area of Sakaba Local Government Area.
He said the aircraft’s manoeuvres disrupted the terrorists’ movement and enabled more than 60 kidnapped victims to escape from their captors.
Onoja said ground troops subsequently rescued more victims in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and other states.
He listed three victims rescued along the Dandume-Damari Road in Katsina State on September 17; three in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State on September 18; 17 along the Isa-Kwanar axis in Sokoto State on September 20; and seven kidnapped university students along the Daye-Malumfashi Road in Katsina State on September 21.
“Five victims, including the Executive Chairman of Bungudu LGA, were equally rescued at Sekpore Village in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State on 24 September 2026,” Onoja said.
In the North-Central, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued four kidnap victims along the Takum-Katsina-Ala Road in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
He added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace also rescued six kidnap victims after an ambush on kidnappers at Kudu Yamma in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State.
Onoja said troops of Operation Udo Ka also rescued a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped about two months earlier from her hairdressing salon in Ebematuo village, Orsu LGA of Imo State.
The figures contained in the Defence Headquarters statement put the number of kidnapped victims rescued or enabled to escape during the period at more than 100, even before the separate rescue of the 44 terrorist family members in Borno State is counted.
In the North-East, Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai intercepted and rescued 44 family members of terrorists at Konduga in Bama LGA of Borno State on September 24.
The group comprised 13 women and 31 children and, according to the military, had escaped from terrorist camps amid clashes between rival terrorist factions.
“In the most significant rescue of the period, troops intercepted and rescued 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama LGA of Borno State on 24 September 2026,” Onoja said.
The military also recorded a wave of surrenders, with more than 20 terrorist fighters and family members surrendering to troops in Gwoza, Dikwa and Ngala LGAs of Borno State during the period.
Onoja said the surrendering terrorists cited hardship and lack of basic necessities in their enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for abandoning the groups.
He said troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant at Gajiram, a logistics supplier allegedly conveying Starlink internet devices destined for Chad along the Dikwa-Gamboru Road, and a suspected collaborator and spy at Geidam market in Yobe State.
A suspected kidnapper was also arrested at Gubio town in Borno State with an AK-47 rifle, he added.
Beyond the rescue operations, Onoja said troops disrupted arms-trafficking and terrorist logistics networks across several theatres.
In Katsina State, three suspects were arrested at Faskari LGA while allegedly conveying N2.7m intended for a notorious terrorist kingpin.
In Nasarawa State, troops arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin at Bukan Sidi in Lafia metropolis and recovered a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a luxury vehicle and N406,200.
Onoja said preliminary analysis of the suspect’s phone produced evidence of his alleged involvement in illegal militia-related activities.
In Taraba State, troops arrested a suspect for illegal possession of firearms at Apawa in Lau LGA and recovered two AK-47 rifles hidden in separate locations.
Troops also arrested two suspected kidnappers along the Otukpo-Makurdi Road in Benue State and recovered a rifle and ammunition from them.
In Plateau State, 11 suspects were arrested during raids on Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills following the kidnap and subsequent release of two victims at Gwafan Community in Jos North LGA.
“Four of the suspects were identified by the victims as members of the syndicate responsible for their abduction,” Onoja said.
He further disclosed that three kidnappers were neutralised during an ambush at Kudu Yamma in Bauchi State, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Troops recovered a rifle and ammunition and rescued six kidnap victims during the operation.
In the South-South, the military intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft, with troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovering approximately 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Bethel Creeks in Rivers State.
Onoja said eight dugout pits were discovered at the location, five of which contained suspected stolen crude oil, alongside hoses allegedly used to move the product illegally.
He said the operation followed the discovery of approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude at illegal refining sites around Aworkiri on September 8.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, a rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle after encountering suspected secessionist terrorists at Obibi Forest in Orsu LGA of Imo State.
A suspected informant was arrested and documents allegedly linking him to the group were recovered.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry and bravery in carrying out their constitutional mandate.
The CDS also commended the collaboration between the military, other security agencies, local security groups and other stakeholders.
According to Onoja, Oluyede urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible and timely information to troops.
He said the Armed Forces remained committed to sustaining the current operational momentum until lasting peace and security were guaranteed across the country.
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