Military Rescues 50 Kidnap Victims, Arrests Scores of Terrorists, Collaborators

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have rescued at least 50 kidnapped and abducted persons and arrested several terrorists, collaborators and suspected kidnappers during offensive operations across the country between September 11 and 17, 2026.

The operations, conducted across the various theatres of operation, also resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, recovery of weapons and ammunition, clearance of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and dismantling of illegal bunkering and secessionist activities.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on the military operations carried out during the period.

In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested six suspected members of a notorious kidnap syndicate during a raid on their hideout around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

According to the military, the suspects confessed to kidnapping more than seven victims and killing those who failed to meet ransom demands.

Troops also rescued 14 abductees around Armuda and Gava areas of Gwoza LGA of Borno State between September 12 and 13, including the Chief Imam of Ngoshe town, Mallam Sadiq, who was abducted during an attack on March 3, 2026.

The troops subsequently rescued a woman who had escaped from terrorist captivity after five months, alongside two minors who had spent six months in captivity at Suyaka Camp on the Mandara Mountains.

Two family members were also liberated along the Gwoza-Limankara Road, while a repentant terrorist surrendered at Benisheikh with an AK-47 rifle, hand grenade and an IED.

In Borno State, two other terrorists from the Bula Daloye enclave surrendered to troops with three AK-47 rifles and other weapons.

The troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and informants accused of providing information on military convoy movements and planning attacks.

In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded several successes in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

During a clearance operation around Gumki village towards the Nigeria-Niger border in Kebbi State, troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a machine gun, rifle, ammunition and four motorcycles.

Two terrorists were also neutralised in Katsina State after troops intercepted a group preparing to attack communities in Matazu and Karaduwa areas.

The operation also recorded several rescue missions, including the rescue of traders abducted along the Ruwan Godiya-Mobai Road in Faskari LGA of Katsina State and three kidnap victims at Danhonu 2 Community in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

On September 15, troops rescued 10 abducted victims comprising three men, seven women and a child at Unguwan Rimi Village in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State.

They also rescued three kidnap victims at Gidan Gulbi Village in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State on September 17.

Troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, collaborators and informants in Kaduna, Sokoto and Katsina states, including two suspects who had been on the counter-terrorism wanted list since June 2026.

In the North-Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD troops neutralised five terrorists in separate engagements in Kwara and Niger states and recovered firearms and ammunition.

At Muchiya Village in Rafi LGA of Niger State, troops forced terrorists to abandon their victims and rescued 22 kidnap victims, who were subsequently reunited with their families.

The troops also defused 12 IEDs found along major supply routes in Niger and Kwara states, including nine devices planted along the Machan-Gyada-Masaka route.

Four suspects were arrested at Pissa in Borgu LGA of Niger State in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and local security groups. Two of the suspects were allegedly impersonating military and police personnel and were reportedly sent by terrorist leaders to spy on troop positions and recover firearms.

Similarly, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops operating in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states arrested suspected informants and logistics suppliers linked to terrorist and kidnapping networks.

Among those arrested were two charcoal dealers who reportedly confessed to assisting terrorists in procuring logistics, while another suspect admitted facilitating multiple kidnapping operations and receiving portions of ransom payments.

Troops also arrested six suspects along the Wukari-Makurdi Road in Taraba State and recovered ammunition, while ammunition was discovered in suspected terrorist hideouts during a search operation in Adavi LGA of Kogi State.

In Kaduna State, Operation ENDURING PEACE troops rescued an abducted man and his wife at Ateli Village in Sanga LGA, while a two-year-old child abducted alongside his mother was rescued at Tayu Village and reunited with his father.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Obaretin Community along the Benin-Sapele Road in Edo State and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.

In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA dismantled an illegal bunkering site near Well Head 17/20 in Egbema West, Imo State, destroying about 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil and structures used by the operators.

The troops also arrested a suspected secessionist IED fabrication expert who was reportedly on a security watchlist. The suspect was intercepted along the Umulolo Junction-Linka-Ihube axis near Okigwe while allegedly travelling to procure materials for IED production.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and sacrifices across the various theatres.

He also commended the collaboration between the military, other security agencies and stakeholders, saying their combined efforts were helping to reduce the operating space available to terrorists and criminal elements.

Oluyede urged Nigerians, traditional institutions and community leaders to continue providing timely and credible information to security forces, while commending the media for its coverage of military operations.

He assured that the AFN would sustain its operations until lasting peace, security and stability were achieved across the country.