The Defence Headquarters says troops rescued more than 60 kidnapped victims and arrested 44 suspects during operations nationwide between September 18 and 24, 2026.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing defence correspondents on military operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other threats.
Onoja said a Nigerian Air Force jet disrupted terrorists transporting a large number of victims around Bazama in Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State, forcing them to abandon their captives. He said over 60 victims escaped following the operation, while ground troops rescued others in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Among those rescued were 17 victims along Isa-Kwanar Isa axis in Sokoto and seven university students abducted along Daye-Malumfashi road in Katsina.
“Troops also rescued five victims, including the Executive Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara, from terrorist captivity at Sekpore village in Kaura Namoda,” Onoja said.
In Borno, troops intercepted 44 members of terrorist families at Konduga in Bama LGA. The group comprised 13 women and 31 children who escaped from terrorist camps amid clashes between rival factions.
Onoja added that over 20 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to troops in Gwoza, Dikwa and Ngala LGAs, citing hardship and lack of basic necessities in enclaves on Mandara Mountains.
Troops also arrested suspected informants, collaborators, logistics suppliers and kidnappers across the country.
In Yobe, troops arrested a suspected collaborator and a spy at Geidam market, while a suspected kidnapper was arrested in Gubio, Borno. The suspect led troops to Ardimini village where an AK-47 rifle and a magazine with 12 rounds were recovered.
In Sokoto, four suspected terrorists were arrested conveying rustled cattle near Illela, while three suspects were arrested in Faskari, Katsina, for conveying N2.7 million allegedly meant for a terrorist kingpin.
In North-Central, troops under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested suspects for kidnapping and arms trafficking in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba.
Two suspected kidnappers were arrested along Otukpo-Makurdi road in Benue with a rifle and ammunition recovered. A suspected gunrunner was also arrested in Kwande.
In Bauchi, troops and Forest Guards killed three suspected kidnappers during an ambush at Kudu Yamma in Ningi LGA and rescued six victims, recovering a rifle and ammunition.
In Plateau, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested 11 suspects during raids on suspected kidnapping hideouts in Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills. Four suspects were identified by victims as members of the syndicate that abducted them.
In South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka engaged suspected secessionist terrorists at Obibi Forest in Orsu LGA of Imo.
The suspects fled, abandoning a general-purpose machine gun, a rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle.
Troops also arrested a suspected informant and rescued a woman kidnapped about two months earlier from her salon in Orsu.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops and urged public to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
