By Odita Sunday
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued at least 44 abducted persons and neutralised 24 terrorists in sustained operations across the country between August 20 and 27, 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, adding that troops also arrested several suspected terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners and other criminal elements while recovering arms, ammunition and stolen petroleum products.
In the North-East, Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued eight abductees, comprising three women and five children, around Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on August 22.
Three other minors who escaped from terrorist enclaves near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza were also rescued the same day.
He said troops subsequently arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, spies and fighters in Biu, Guzamala and Damboa LGAs of Borno, as well as Michika LGA of Adamawa State.
According to him, troops on August 27 repelled a terrorist infiltration along the Gulumba Gana axis in Dikwa LGA, killing one terrorist while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Onoja added that troops conducting a clearance operation at Kopre Mountain in Hong LGA of Adamawa State between August 26 and 27 neutralised 21 terrorists, destroyed their camp and recovered six AK-47 rifles, 23 magazines and 586 rounds of ammunition.
He said a terrorist leader, several fighters and their family members also surrendered to troops in Bama LGA of Borno State between August 22 and 25, citing sustained military pressure and internal clashes among rival terrorist factions.
In Bauchi State, troops working with the Department of State Services arrested a suspected kidnapper at Madara Village in Katagum LGA, while two suspected logistics suppliers linked to a notorious terrorist leader were arrested in Bauchi LGA.
The two suspects, however, were reportedly neutralised while attempting to escape from custody.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 31 abducted persons across Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna states during the period.
Onoja said six victims were rescued along the Dandume-Sheme Road in Katsina State on August 22, while six others were rescued at Gadan Manya village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State the following day.
Three abducted children were rescued in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State on August 24, while 14 victims were rescued at Magazu village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State on August 25.
Two female captives were also rescued at Hayin Babangida in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State on August 26, although a male farmer abducted in the same incident was found dead from gunshot wounds.
The troops also arrested three suspected gunrunners along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi Road, recovering an assault rifle concealed in a bag of millet and allegedly destined for a terrorist kingpin in Zamfara.
Onoja said troops also arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin, Mallam Sanusi Mai Glass, and his associate in Dutsinma LGA of Katsina State, while two other suspected terrorists were arrested in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State with firearms, communication equipment and cash.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued two kidnap victims in separate operations in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State and recovered a weapon abandoned by fleeing kidnappers.
Troops also arrested suspected gunrunners in Taraba and Kogi states and neutralised one suspected terrorist during an encounter at Ahungwa in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
Onoja said troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE in Plateau State arrested a suspect after responding to reports of gunshots around DTV in Bassa LGA and recovered a locally made hunting gun.
In Niger State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD repelled a terrorist attack in Dekara, Borgu LGA, forcing the attackers to withdraw into the Kainji Lake National Park.
An AK-47 rifle, ammunition, six motorcycles, 49 mobile phones, nine phone batteries and 10 memory cards were recovered along the terrorists’ withdrawal route.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations against illegal oil bunkering and refining in Rivers and Imo states.
Onoja said the Nigerian Navy disrupted crude oil storage infrastructure containing about 93,000 litres of stolen crude oil around Allison Community in Bonny LGA of Rivers State.
Troops also intercepted two vehicles conveying about 8,500 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products along the Ejemekuru-Obudi-Agwa axis of Imo State and arrested three suspects.
At Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER disrupted three illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 103,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
Two tanker trucks preparing to siphon crude oil from an illegal collection point at Aleto in Eleme LGA of Rivers State were also intercepted on August 27, with two suspects arrested.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA, working with the DSS and local security groups, raided suspected IPOB/ESN strongholds at Obene and Abator villages in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State.
Onoja said one terrorist was neutralised during the operation, while pump-action guns, motorcycles and materials suspected to be for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices were recovered.
The troops also intercepted two vehicles conveying suspected illegally refined petroleum products along the Agwa-Ejemekuru Road in Oguta LGA of Imo State and arrested three suspects.
The Director of Defence Media Operations said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry, discipline and sustained successes across the various theatres.
Oluyede also appreciated Air Peace and its Chairman, Allen Onyema, following a gesture in which military personnel received priority boarding and a spontaneous standing ovation from staff and passengers while boarding a flight in Abuja.
The CDS urged other stakeholders to recognise the sacrifices of military and security personnel and veterans, while calling on Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
He also commended the collaboration between the military, Police, DSS, local security groups and other stakeholders, saying the Armed Forces remained committed to sustaining the tempo of operations nationwide.
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