Troops Rescue Over 100 Kidnap Victims, 44 Terrorists’ Family Members
The Nigerian military has rescued more than 100 kidnapped victims and 44 family members of terrorists during operations across the country in one week, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said.
The victims were rescued between September 17 and 24 as troops intensified operations against terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, oil theft and other criminal activities in different parts of the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the operations covered the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East.
In one of the major operations, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, disrupted the movement of terrorists conveying a large number of kidnapped victims in Bazama, Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Onoja said an Air Force jet intercepted the terrorists and carried out manoeuvres that disrupted their movement, allowing more than 60 kidnapped victims to escape.
He said troops subsequently rescued the victims on the ground.
The military also rescued three victims along the Dandume-Damari Road in Katsina State on September 17, three others in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State on September 18 and 17 victims along the Isa-Kwanar axis in Sokoto State on September 20.
Seven kidnapped university students were also rescued 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.
44 terrorist family members rescued
In Borno State, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 44 family members of terrorists at Konduga in Bama LGA.
The group comprised 13 women and 31 children who, according to the military, escaped from terrorist camps during clashes between rival factions.
Onoja said troops also recorded several encounters with terrorists in Borno and Yobe states, forcing some of them to withdraw from areas including Gajiram and Benisheikh.
At Azare village in Gujba LGA of Yobe State, troops ambushed terrorists on September 21 and arrested four suspects, recovering ammunition, bicycles and food items.
He added that more than 20 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to troops in Gwoza, Dikwa and Ngala LGAs of Borno State during the period.
According to him, the surrendering terrorists cited hardship and lack of basic necessities in their enclaves around the Mandara Mountains.
Kidnappers, arms dealers arrested
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued four kidnap victims along the Takum-Katsina-Ala Road in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
Six other victims were rescued in Kudu Yamma, Ningi LGA of Bauchi State, after troops ambushed kidnappers.
Three kidnappers were neutralised during the operation, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds. A rifle and ammunition were also recovered.
In Nasarawa State, troops arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin at Bukan Sidi in Lafia metropolis.
The military recovered a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a luxury vehicle and N406,200 from the suspect.
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Troops also arrested a suspected arms dealer in Apir Community, Benue State, and another suspect in Apawa, Lau LGA of Taraba State. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from separate locations.
In Plateau State, 11 suspects were arrested during raids on Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills following the kidnapping and release of two victims at Gwafan Community in Jos North LGA.
Onoja said four of the suspects were identified by the victims as members of the syndicate responsible for their abduction.
Terrorist collaborators arrested
The military also reported the arrest of suspected terrorist informants and collaborators in the North-East.
Onoja said troops arrested a suspected informant at Gajiram, a logistics supplier allegedly transporting Starlink internet devices to Chad along the Dikwa-Gamboru Road, and another suspected collaborator and spy at Geidam market in Yobe State.
A suspected kidnapper was also arrested in Gubio, Borno State, with an AK-47 rifle.
In Katsina State, three suspects were arrested in Faskari LGA while allegedly conveying N2.7 million meant for a notorious terrorist kingpin.
Troops also arrested four suspected members of a terrorist group who were allegedly transporting rustled cattle near Illela in Sokoto State.
In Kaduna, troops engaged terrorists near the railway line in Kachia LGA, recovering a rifle and ammunition, while a suspect with a locally fabricated pistol was arrested at Awom community.
Troops recover stolen crude oil
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered about 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Bethel Creeks in Rivers State.
Eight dugout pits were discovered, five of which contained suspected stolen crude oil. Hoses allegedly used to transport the crude were also recovered.
The discovery followed the recovery of about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil from illegal refining sites around Aworkiri on September 8.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued a woman allegedly kidnapped about two months ago from her hairdressing salon in Ebematuo village, Orsu LGA of Imo State.
Troops also engaged suspected secessionist terrorists at Obibi Forest in Orsu, forcing them to abandon a general-purpose machine gun, a rifle, ammunition, motorcycle and other items.
A suspected informant was arrested and documents allegedly linking him to the group recovered.
Military destroys IED, arrests suspects
In Niger State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD detonated an improvised explosive device planted along the Dekara-Masaka-Machan Geda-Baturen Daji Road in Borgu LGA.
The military said the operation secured the route for commuters and strengthened troops’ presence in the area.
Onoja said troops also arrested two suspected kidnappers along the Otukpo-Makurdi Road in Benue State, recovering a rifle and ammunition.
A suspected gunrunner, who had previously been convicted for a similar offence, was rearrested in Kwande LGA of the state.
In Kogi State, a suspected terrorist and his wife were arrested at Jamata in Lokoja LGA. The military said they were associates of a neutralised terrorist leader.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their operations and urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide credible and timely information to security agencies.
He also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, local security groups and other stakeholders to ongoing operations.
The DHQ said the military would sustain its operations against terrorists, kidnappers, arms traffickers and other criminal elements across the country.
