Military Neutralises 60 Terrorists, Rescues 42 Kidnap Victims

Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have neutralised 60 terrorists, rescued 42 kidnapped victims and arrested 56 suspected terrorist collaborators, arms dealers and logistics suppliers in a series of joint military operations across the country in one week.

The operations also led to the surrender of more than 15 terrorists and their family members, as well as the recovery of several weapons, ammunition and other items from criminal hideouts.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in an operational update, saying troops recorded significant successes across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones.

He said troops successfully repelled terrorist attacks at Buni Yadi in Yobe State and Bitta in Borno State, neutralising more than 50 terrorists in the engagements.

Onoja also disclosed that troops overran kidnappers’ hideouts in Edimogbo and Obele forests in Kogi State, recovering weapons and other items, while operations in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Abia and Anambra states resulted in the rescue of several kidnapped victims, including a baby.

—North-East—

Giving details, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai, on October 29, 2026, repelled terrorists who approached Buni Yadi in Gujba LGA of Yobe State from the Timbuktu Triangle axis.

A follow-up operation on October 30 led to the recovery of 48 terrorist bodies, 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, one 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.

On October 31, troops operating around Apama and Jauro Bashir recovered three more bodies, an AK-47 rifle and 188 rounds of ammunition.

The same day, terrorists attempted to infiltrate a military position at Bitta in Gwoza LGA of Borno State but were forced to retreat. Subsequent exploitation led to the recovery of seven bodies, four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio.

He said 12 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered between November 2 and 4 at New Abaram Resettlement Village, Banki Junction in Bama LGA and near Ngurusoye in Gwoza LGA of Borno State, citing sustained military pressure and disagreements between JAS and ISWAP factions.

—North-West, North-Central and South-East—

In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma cleared the Ribah-Dirindaji Road in Kebbi State, rescued victims and arrested suspects in Kaduna State.

In the North-Central, troops of Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke engaged kidnappers in Kogi, Taraba, Benue, Kwara and Niger states, neutralising suspects, destroying hideouts in Edimogbo and Obele forests, and rescuing victims including six civilians and a baby at Jeb Jeb Village in Taraba State. Troops also recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and N4.105 million.

In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka rescued a kidnapped victim in Abia State and recovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges in Anambra State.

—CDS Commends Troops—

Reacting, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their courage and resilience, and honoured an officer, a soldier and a civilian hunter who died in the line of duty.

He assured their families that their sacrifices would remain indelible, wished wounded personnel quick recovery, and called for sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and timely information from the public via the toll-free emergency line 193.