Troops Kill 35 Terrorists, Rescue 20 NYSC Members, Neutralises ISWAP Commander
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have killed 35 terrorists in separate operations in Borno and Kebbi states, rescued 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State and neutralised a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander in Ondo State.
The military also rescued several kidnapping victims, arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and recovered weapons and ammunition during operations conducted across the country between October 2 and 8, 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the developments in a statement on Saturday, October 10, while providing an update on military operations across the country’s geopolitical zones.
According to him, troops sustained offensives against terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, arms traffickers and crude oil thieves, targeting their leadership structures, logistics networks and operational capabilities.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI killed 25 ISWAP terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Kukawa town in Borno State on the night of October 6.
Onoja said the engagement, supported by the Air Component, continued into the morning of October 7, resulting in the deaths of 25 terrorists.
The troops recovered six AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, 797 rounds of PKT ammunition, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs, an anti-tank bomb and other equipment.
In another engagement on October 5, troops repelled a terrorist attack on Abakurari village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing one attacker and recovering an AK-47 rifle.
The military also recovered two gunboat guns mounted along a riverbank at Kwatan Kuwait in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, while another AK-47 rifle was recovered at Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area.
The military said the operations were aimed at restricting terrorist movements and preventing attacks on vulnerable communities.
Troops Rescue Long-Term Abductees, Arrest Suspected Collaborators
The military recorded further successes in rescuing abducted persons in Borno State, including victims who had spent years in captivity.
On October 4, troops rescued two female abductees around the Kuranabasa axis of Gwoza Local Government Area, alongside three persons who had escaped from captivity in Cameroon.
The three escapees were subsequently handed over to Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Battalion at Kirawa on October 5.
On October 8, troops rescued three abductees who had reportedly been held captive for seven years around Armuda in Gwoza Local Government Area. Three other abductees were also rescued in the Gava area of the same local government.
In separate developments, a terrorist, two women and their children surrendered to troops at Ngurusoye village in Bama Local Government Area on October 5.
Another terrorist surrendered in Monguno after escaping from a camp at Tumbunma village in the Lake Chad region.
Troops also intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist supply networks, arresting 12 suspected collaborators and smugglers allegedly transporting fish from the Republic of Niger at Kanama in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State on October 3.
A suspected logistics supplier was arrested at Mubi Market in Adamawa State on October 4, while a high-profile suspected terrorist was apprehended in Magumeri, Borno State, on October 5.
Another suspected terrorist was arrested along the Pulka-Firgi Road in Gwoza Local Government Area on October 6.
Ten Lakurawa Terrorists Killed in Kebbi
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA killed 10 Lakurawa terrorists during an encounter in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7.
Onoja said the terrorists were operating in a large group, reportedly travelling on more than 100 motorcycles and armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
According to him, several members of the group abandoned their weapons and fled following the encounter.
The troops recovered 17 motorcycles, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, assorted ammunition and a communication device.
In Katsina State, troops conducted operations against terrorists in Malumfashi Local Government Area on October 5, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, a motorcycle and other items.
The military also reported the rescue of 18 kidnap victims during an operation conducted with local security personnel at Unguwan Hudu village in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 1.
Similarly, troops rescued a seven-year-old boy abducted from Dogon Dawa village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The child was found at Tsakiya village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 6.
A suspected terrorist was arrested in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State on the same day.
On October 8, troops apprehended another suspected terrorist collaborator at Kuyello in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The suspect reportedly admitted to working with terrorists involved in kidnapping-for-ransom operations.
Military Neutralises Senior ISWAP Commander in Ondo
In a major operation in the South-West, a joint team of security personnel neutralised a senior ISWAP commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2.
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Onoja said Ohida was the deputy to the leader of ISWAP’s Central Nigeria faction and assumed leadership of the group after its leader was arrested by the Department of State Services in 2023.
According to the military, investigations indicated that the slain commander had allegedly been planning large-scale attacks against civilians in some southern states ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
The military described his neutralisation as a significant setback to efforts by ISWAP to expand its operational presence beyond its traditional strongholds in the North-East.
The operation, it added, was part of broader efforts to dismantle terrorist networks seeking to establish a foothold in southern Nigeria.
Twenty Prospective Corps Members Rescued in Imo
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 20 prospective NYSC members abducted while travelling to their orientation camps in Imo State.
The victims were kidnapped on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, around the Umunoha axis of Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
A woman who was abducted while travelling to the market was also rescued during the operation.
Onoja said the victims were rescued at Ndegwu community in Owerri West Local Government Area on October 7 following sustained pressure from troops and other security agencies.
He added that search operations were continuing to locate and arrest those responsible for the abductions.
The rescue comes amid concerns over the safety of prospective corps members travelling to their respective NYSC orientation camps.
Troops Recover Illegal Arms, Disrupt Oil Theft
In the North-Central region, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE intensified operations against illegal arms trafficking and armed criminality in Taraba State.
On October 7, troops raided a residence at Wura Baba village, near Abbare in Lau Local Government Area, following intelligence reports that a suspect was in possession of a firearm.
Although the suspect escaped, the troops recovered a locally fabricated submachine gun pistol and two rounds of 9mm ammunition.
On the same day, soldiers raided the hideout of an alleged associate of a suspected arms trafficker previously arrested on August 14 at Bubuwa in Wukari Local Government Area.
The operation at Sabon Gidan Usha in Donga Local Government Area led to the recovery of 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested two suspected kidnappers at Makasa village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on October 2, following surveillance operations.
The suspects are being investigated over their possible links to wider kidnapping networks.
In Niger State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD arrested a wanted suspected terrorist along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area on October 2, following the killing of a driver in the area.
The operation also led to the rescue of three persons who had escaped from their abductors and were found wandering in Sabanginna Ndeji Forest in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on October 4.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage in Rivers State.
On October 7, troops discovered three illegal refinery sites at Okarki Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area during an anti-illegal oil bunkering operation.
The soldiers also discovered an estimated 2,500 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit in Eleme Local Government Area on the same day.
The military said the operations were designed to dismantle illegal petroleum processing facilities and deny oil thieves access to resources sustaining their activities.
Military Pledges Support for Humanitarian Operations
Beyond combat operations, the Armed Forces continued engagements aimed at improving humanitarian access and strengthening civil-military relations, particularly in the North-East.
On October 8, a delegation led by the Deputy Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Patricia Mucheche, visited the headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
During the visit, the theatre commander assured the delegation that the military would continue to provide a secure environment for humanitarian activities.
The Armed Forces also pledged to strengthen information sharing and coordination with humanitarian partners and facilitate safe access to farmlands and essential supply routes.
The engagement highlighted the importance of cooperation between security agencies and humanitarian organisations in protecting civilians, assisting displaced communities and supporting socio-economic recovery across the North-East.
Reacting to the operational achievements, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and commitment to national security.
He also paid tribute to military personnel who lost their lives in the defence of the country.
Oluyede urged troops to remain vigilant and avoid complacency, particularly as the festive season approaches, emphasising the need for sustained discipline and operational readiness.
The Chief of Defence Staff further commended other security agencies for their cooperation, calling for continued intelligence sharing and joint planning to strengthen ongoing military operations across the country.
