Troops Kill 31 Terrorists, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Multiple Operations
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralised at least 31 suspected terrorists, rescued kidnapped victims and arrested suspected terrorist collaborators during separate military operations across the country.
The operations, conducted between September 30 and October 1, 2026, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition and materials suspected to be used in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the development in a military operational briefing released on Friday.
According to the briefing, troops of Operation HADIN KAI, operating in the North-East, killed five terrorists during coordinated ground operations supported by the Air Component in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State on October 1.
The troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges.
In a separate air operation, military surveillance detected a concentration of terrorists and motorcycles, prompting a precision air strike that reportedly neutralised 16 terrorists and destroyed 15 motorcycles.
The military also reported the surrender of four terrorists and a family member of a terrorist, alongside her daughter, in separate incidents in Borno State.
Three other terrorists reportedly escaped from their camp in Tumbunma village, in the Lake Chad region, before surrendering to troops in Monguno.
In another development, troops arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in Yobe and Borno states.
One of the suspects was apprehended in Babbangida community, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, while allegedly posing as an Islamic cleric and claiming to be travelling from the Republic of Niger to Maiduguri without any means of identification.
The second suspect, described as a suspected terrorist informant, was arrested in Monguno following sustained tracking and monitoring by troops working with the Civilian Joint Task Force.
Both suspects were taken into custody for investigation.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued three persons suspected to have been released by kidnappers in Gbise community, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims reportedly disclosed that they had been abducted in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The military said efforts were ongoing to track down the criminal syndicate responsible for their abduction.
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In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency who were reportedly mobbed and disarmed by residents of Ekureku community in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The incident occurred on October 1 during an NDLEA raid, when residents allegedly attempted to prevent the arrest of a suspect.
The troops recovered five FN rifles and two Beretta pistols seized from the NDLEA operatives and escorted the personnel safely to Ugep community before returning to base.
Meanwhile, the military confirmed a mass abduction along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway at Umonuwa village in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to the briefing, gunmen intercepted two commercial buses conveying 30 passengers and abducted 20 people, including several prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps.
Ten passengers, including eight identified prospective corps members, were rescued unharmed.
A joint search-and-rescue operation involving troops of Operation UDO KA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Air Force was ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining abductees.
In a separate operation in Anambra State, troops working with the Anambra Local Security Group rescued three persons abducted from the Osakwa area of Ihiala Local Government Area.
The military said one of the arrested kidnappers disclosed that the gang’s camp was located at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area, across the Isieke waterside.
Acting on the information, troops conducted a follow-up operation by canoe on October 1 and engaged the suspected terrorists, neutralising 10 of them.
The operation also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, three Dane guns, ammunition and materials used for fabricating improvised explosive devices.
Commenting on the operations, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended the troops for their courage and professionalism.
He particularly praised their intervention to rescue the NDLEA personnel in Cross River State and their ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining abductees in Imo State.
Oluyede also acknowledged the collaboration between the military, other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, describing their combined efforts as central to the country’s security architecture.
The Defence Chief urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide credible and timely information to security personnel to support ongoing operations.
The Armed Forces reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining military operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality, pledging to continue efforts towards restoring lasting peace and security across the country.
