• Troops foil ISWAP attack on FOB Gajiram
•Police rescue 15 passengers, neutralise several kidnappers in Kogi
Linus Aleke in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
The Nigerian military said troops of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation Udo Ka, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have apprehended a notorious and wanted kidnapping syndicate commander.
During the operation, they recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from a forest hideout in Enugu State.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, the suspect was apprehended during a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in the Gariki General Area of Enugu State.
This followed sustained efforts to dismantle the criminal syndicate responsible for the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on 2 August 2026.
The arrest, Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni said, was informed by an earlier operation in which troops eliminated one member of the syndicate and apprehended another.
“Subsequent exploitation of the arrested suspect yielded critical intelligence that led to the identification of the fleeing syndicate commander and the location of the group’s concealed arms cache.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops intensified the manhunt, leading to the tracking, interception and arrest of the fleeing syndicate commander as he attempted to escape from Enugu State.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is linked to several kidnapping activities across the South-East and North-Central regions. Items recovered from him include US$1,000, N785,900 in cash and other incriminating items.”
The statement revealed that further exploitation of intelligence obtained from the arrested suspects led troops to Umuchingu Ujenike Forest, where members of the syndicate had concealed their weapons.
“During the follow-up operation, troops successfully recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the forest hideout.
“The successful operations further demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations in disrupting organised criminal networks, apprehending fleeing suspects, and denying criminal elements access to weapons and safe havens,” Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni said.
He added that the arrested syndicate commander was currently undergoing further interrogation to facilitate follow-on operations aimed at apprehending other members of the criminal network and their collaborators.
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack on FOB Gajiram
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have foiled an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State, the military said.
According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, a large number of terrorists launched an assault in an attempt to overrun the troops’ position at about 12:20 a.m. on 10 August 2026.
This is not the first time Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) extremists had attempted to overrun military facilities across the North-East theatre of operations.
But troops have continued to frustrate such attempts, inflicting heavy casualties and recovering weapons from the insurgents.
The statement noted that the gallant troops responded with determined and effective fire, forcing the attackers to withdraw after sustaining heavy casualties.
During the engagement, troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets.
“Post-engagement review of the surveillance footage further confirmed several casualties being evacuated by the retreating terrorists. The recovered items and footage are currently undergoing further operational assessment,” Captain Goni said.
He, however, regretted that a few troops sustained injuries during the engagement after part of the defences was temporarily breached, leading to damage to some combat-enabling equipment and vehicles from rocket-propelled grenade fire.
The injured personnel were promptly airlifted and are currently stable and receiving medical attention.
Captain Goni said: “Following the attack, troops have remained firmly deployed in and around the FOB and adjoining areas to dominate the general area, monitor the situation and prevent any further attempts by the terrorists to re-engage.
“Residents of Gajiram and surrounding communities are advised to remain calm and go about their lawful activities. Members of the public are also encouraged to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity to the nearest security agencies to support intelligence sharing in the ongoing operations.”
Police Rescue 15 Passengers, Neutralise Several Kidnappers in Kogi
The Kogi State Police Command, has rescued 15 victims abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area, following an intense gun battle with their abductors.
This was just as the security Joint task force neutralised several kidnapers, while other fled following the superior power of the security operatives.
The passengers were traveling from Abuja to Onitsha when the abductors diverted the the drivers in into bush.
Kogi State Police Commissioner, CP Naziru Kankafori, told journalists while receiving the rescued victims at his office in Lokoja yesterday.
He explained that the incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 9th August 2026, between Ojuwo Ajengo and Mamerebo, an identified kidnapping flashpoint along the Itobe–Achigili portion of the highway, when a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted and its occupants abducted.
The commissioner noted that immediately the incident occurred, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi, mobilised the tactical and intelligence assets to locate the abductors and secure the safe rescue of the victims.
The operation, which was a joint effort involving the police, military personnel of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, DSS, NSCDC, local Vigilante and auxiliary forces, led to a fierce gun battle with the abductors, during which several of the criminals were neutralised with others fleeing.
“Tragically, one of the local Vigilante personnel supporting the Police operation was killed in the encounter, while one Police officer sustained gunshot injuries,” he stated.