By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria rescued and recovered 51 kidnapped victims, neutralised terrorists and other criminals, arrested suspects and disrupted illegal oil refining and arms trafficking networks across the country between August 14 and 20, 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on military operations in the various theatres of operation.
Onoja said the successes were recorded as troops sustained offensive operations against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft, arms trafficking and other forms of criminality.
In the North East, he said troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued three kidnapped victims during clearance operations in Gwamnare Forest, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
He said five other victims escaped from their captors and were reunited with their families, while two victims were killed by their abductors before the intervention of the troops.
The Defence spokesman added that one kidnapper was neutralised in a follow-up operation, while troops also killed two terrorists during a two-pronged attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
He said troops rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State and recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle.
Onoja said 47 women and children linked to terrorist groups surrendered to troops in Borno State between August 16 and 20, while six terrorist fighters also surrendered in Kukawa Local Government Area.
In the North West, he said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recovered 28 abducted victims across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states between August 17 and 19.
According to him, troops also neutralised two terrorists in Katsina and another two in Zamfara State during clearance operations.
Onoja said troops arrested a suspect transporting 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
He added that several other suspects linked to terrorist logistics and kidnapping operations were subsequently arrested in Zamfara and Kano states.
In the North Central, the Defence spokesman said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims in Ofu and Dekina local government areas of Kogi State.
The victims comprised two men, five women and six children abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road.
He said troops also neutralised a kidnap gang leader in Nasarawa State and a terrorist in Benue State, while an arms courier was arrested and weapons recovered in Taraba State.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued a gunshot victim during an operation at Rafin Bauna Village in Bassa Local Government Area.
The troops also recovered firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition during raids on residences of identified suspects in Mangu Local Government Area.
In Kwara State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised one terrorist, recovered an AK-47 rifle and rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in the bush around Latandaji in Patigi Local Government Area.
In the South South, Onoja said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested three suspected kidnappers in Edo State and another suspect in Delta State, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest.
He said troops also disrupted three illegal refining sites in Rivers State and recovered about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered and safely disarmed multiple IEDs in Imo State.
Onoja said troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia State, arrested three suspects and recovered motorcycles, suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil and a vehicle.
He added that two suspects linked to an earlier attack on troops were arrested in Rivers State, while troops recovered a pistol, ammunition and a radio during an operation in Anambra State.
The Defence spokesman said troops subsequently cleared 11 IEDs during clearance operations towards the Mother Valley area of Ihiala Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State, as part of the Armed Forces’ civil-military cooperation activities.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and sacrifices across the various theatres.
He said the CDS sympathised with families of victims who lost their lives during the period and security personnel injured in the line of duty.
Oluyede also commended the support of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local security groups and other stakeholders in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and economic sabotage.
Onoja urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring that the Armed Forces would sustain operations until peace and security were restored across the country.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
