Troops Rescue 48 Kidnap Victims, Neutralise Terrorists, Disrupt Illegal Refining

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have recorded significant operational successes across the country, rescuing at least 48 kidnapped victims, neutralising terrorists and disrupting illegal refining activities during operations conducted between August 14 and 20, 2026.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in a statement while updating journalists on the latest operational activities of the Armed Forces across the country.

He said the successes were recorded in sustained operations against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft, arms trafficking, secessionist activities and other forms of criminality across the country.

In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted clearance operations in several locations in Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa states, rescuing kidnapped victims and neutralising terrorists.

Onoja said troops and local security groups rescued three kidnapped victims at Gwamnare Forest in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on August 14, while five others escaped and reunited with their families.

He, however, said two victims were killed by their captors before the intervention. A follow up operation neutralised one kidnapper, while a member of a local security group sustained a gunshot wound.

In Borno State, troops repelled a two-pronged terrorist attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu LGA, neutralising two terrorists and recovering rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other weapons.

Troops also rescued a 63year old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis in Dikwa LGA and recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle.

The Defence Media Operations Director further disclosed that 47 family members of terrorists, comprising women and children, surrendered to troops between August 16 and 20, citing hunger, insecurity and factional clashes within terrorist enclaves.

Six terrorist fighters also surrendered during the period, while troops arrested another suspect in possession of ammunition during a cordon-and-search operation in Maiduguri.

In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified operations across Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, neutralising terrorists and rescuing 28 abducted victims.

Two terrorists were neutralised in Katsina and Zamfara states, with troops recovering rifles, ammunition and motorcycles.

The troops also arrested suspects linked to the supply of explosives to terrorists. One suspect was intercepted with 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zamfara State.

Further operations led to the arrest of suspected collaborators and informants linked to a notorious terrorist kingpin and 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 abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Kogi State.

The victims comprised two men, five women and six children.

Troops also neutralised a gang leader during an attack on Assakio community in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State, while another terrorist was neutralised at Kyado in Ukum LGA of Benue State.

The operation also yielded the arrest of an arms courier in Taraba State and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other weapons from a suspected criminal hideout.

In Plateau State, Operation ENDURING PEACE troops responded to attacks on communities, forcing armed assailants to flee and rescuing a wounded victim.

A raid on residences of suspected militia members in Mangu LGA also led to the recovery of firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition.

Similarly, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised a terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle in Kwara State, while seven kidnapped victims were rescued during a night patrol in Patigi LGA.

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

Under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, troops also disrupted three illegal refining sites in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.

About 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered from eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.

In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA dismantled illegal bunkering operations, recovered weapons and explosives, and arrested suspected members of criminal and secessionist networks.

Troops discovered and safely disarmed multiple improvised explosive devices in Orsu LGA of Imo State, while a locally made pistol and ammunition were recovered after a brief encounter with suspected secessionist elements.

An illegal bunkering site was also dismantled in Abia State, leading to the recovery of suspected stolen AGO, motorcycles and a vehicle, with three suspects arrested.

Troops further recovered weapons and communication equipment during raids on suspected hideouts in Rivers and Anambra states, while 11 IEDs were cleared during operations in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

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 and community development initiatives.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and successes across the various theatres of operation.

Oluyede also sympathised with families of victims who lost their lives during the operations and wished injured security personnel speedy recovery.

He commended the collaboration between the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local security groups and other stakeholders, saying the synergy was yielding tangible results in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and economic sabotage.

The CDS also urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security agencies to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.

He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the tempo of operations until peace, stability and security were fully restored across the country.