Troops Rescue 59 Kidnap Victims, Neutralise 11 Terrorists in One Week

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says Nigerian troops rescued 59 kidnapped victims and neutralised 11 terrorists during military operations conducted across the country between August 14 and 20, 2026.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, detailing the military’s activities during the week.

In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued eight kidnapped victims. Three others were rescued from Gwamnare Forest in Bauchi State, while a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis was also rescued.

The troops reportedly neutralised three terrorists and recovered weapons and other military equipment. In Borno State, 47 family members of terrorists and six fighters surrendered to the military.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops rescued 28 abducted persons across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states between August 17 and 19. Four terrorists were neutralised, while an explosives courier and other suspected collaborators were arrested.

The operation also led to the arrest of six suspected informants allegedly linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family as well as staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.

In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims in Kogi State, including two men, five women and six children.

Troops also neutralised two suspected criminals, arrested an arms courier and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other weapons in separate operations in Taraba and Benue states.

In Plateau State, Operation ENDURING PEACE troops recovered firearms, fabricated rifles, Dane guns and ammunition during a raid on suspected criminals in Mangu Local Government Area.

In Kwara State, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD troops neutralised one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle. They also rescued seven kidnap victims during a night patrol in Patigi Local Government Area.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops arrested suspected kidnappers and an arms trafficker, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest.

The troops also disrupted three illegal refining sites in Rivers State and recovered about 85,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.

In the South-East, Operation UDO KA troops dismantled suspected secessionist camps, recovered weapons and safely cleared several improvised explosive devices in Imo, Anambra and Abia states.

The troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia, arrested suspects and recovered suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil, motorcycles and a vehicle.

On August 20, troops conducting clearance operations towards Mother Valley in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State cleared 11 improvised explosive devices.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos, as part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s civil-military cooperation initiatives.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their continued successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists and disrupting criminal networks.

He also praised the cooperation between the military, other security agencies and local security groups, urging Nigerians and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security forces.

The military assured Nigerians that it would sustain its operations until peace and security are restored across the country.