By Kingsley Omonobi
Troops of the Nigerian military fighting to dislodge criminal elements and non-state actors constituting security threats across the country have rescued over 66 kidnapped victims, neutralised 12 terrorists in gun fights and arrested over 34 collaborators, logistics suppliers and informants.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, while making this known on Saturday, disclosed that troops also successfully tracked and diffused 12 Improvised Explosive Devices planted by terrorists in a stretch of road in Niger State.
Detailing the encounters, Onoja said, ‘In the North Central, troops of Operation Savannah Shield on 12 September 2026, at the Kpada/Lade District border in Patigi LGA of Kwara State, neutralised three terrorists and confiscated firearms.
“A total of 35 rustled cattle were also recorded during the operation and handed over to the Nigeria Police.
“On 14 September 2026, troops on patrol from Dekara towards Gidan Zana and Sabon Gida in Borgu LGA of Niger State neutralised two terrorists and confiscated a machine gun with ammunition.
“In the most significant success of the period, troops on 15 September 2026 made contact with terrorists at Muchiya Village in Rafi LGA of Niger State, forcing them to abandon their victims. “Troops rescued 22 kidnap victims who were reunited with their families and confiscated three motorcycles.
“Troops also recorded multiple successful IED clearance operations within Borgu and Kaiama LGAs of Niger and Kwara States between 12 – 17 September 2026.
“A total of 12 devices were safely defused including nine found along MSR between Machan-Gyada and Masaka Villages. All affected roads were subsequently declared safe for vehicular movement.
“On 13 September 2026, troops of the AFN in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and local security groups arrested four suspects at Pissa in Borgu LGA of Niger State, including two persons impersonating military and police personnel.
“The suspects confessed to being sent by terrorist leaders in Sokoto and Katsina States to spy on troop positions and recover firearms.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on 12 September 2026, received four suspects earlier arrested in Kogi State, confirmed to be informants and logistics suppliers to terrorists operating around the Asinwe and Isanlu Areas.
“They included two charcoal dealers who confessed to aiding terrorists in purchasing logistics.
“The others confessed to facilitating multiple kidnap operations and receiving a share of ransom payments running into millions of naira.
“On 14 September 2026, troops responded to a distress call along the Anpkechi-Ogobia Road in Ohimini LGA of Benue State, took into custody an abandoned vehicle and rescued one passenger. “On 15 September 2026, troops arrested a suspect identified as the second-in-command to a wanted criminal gang leader at Abako Village in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
“Also, on 16 September 2026, troops intercepted and arrested six suspects along the Wukari-Makurdi Road in Taraba State, recovering ammunition.
“On the same day, troops conducted a cordon and search operation within the forests in Adavi LGA of Kogi State, and discovered ammunition in suspected terrorist hideouts.
“Troops of Operation Enduring Peace on 11 September 2026, troops and local security groups, pursued kidnappers and rescued an abducted resident and his wife at Ateli Village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
“On 16 September 2026, troops conducted a rescue operation around Tayu Village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State, rescuing a two-year-old child who had been abducted alongside his mother and reuniting him with his father.
“In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation Fandan Yamma sustained operations against terrorism and kidnapping in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto States, recording several decisive combat engagements.
“On 14 September 2026, troops conducted a clearance operation around Gumki village towards the Nigeria-Niger Border in Arewa Dandi LGA of Kebbi State, neutralised several terrorists and confiscated a machine gun, a rifle, ammunition, four motorcycles and other items.
“On 15 September 2026, troops intercepted terrorists who had gathered with the intent to attack communities in Matazu and Karaduwa areas of Katsina State and neutralised two terrorists.
“Troops also rescued 2 victims following terrorist attacks on communities at Kanan Maharba in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State, on 13 September 2026.
“Several successful rescue operations were also recorded during the period. On 11 September 2026, troops rescued traders who were abducted along the Ruwan Godiya-Mobai Road in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
“Troops also rescued three kidnap victims at Danhonu 2 Community in Chikun.
“On 15 September 2026, troops rescued 10 abducted victims, comprising three men, seven women and a child, at Unguwan Rimi Village in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State. Same day, troops intercepted two victims and their child who had escaped their captors along the Alikere-Yankara Road in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Also,
“On 17 September 2026, troops rescued three kidnap victims at Gidan Gulbi Village in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.
“On 10 September 2026, troops arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers at Dogon Dawa in Birni Gwari LGA of Kaduna State. Both suspects had earlier been identified as terrorist collaborators and placed on counter-terrorism wanted list since June 2026.
“On 11 September 2026, troops raided a suspected Lakurawa hideout in Kware Town, Sokoto State. Between 15 – 17 September 2026, troops arrested two accomplices of a notorious terrorist kingpin at Danmusa LGA of Katsina State.
“Similarly, troops arrested a collaborator and an informant linked to the same kingpin network at Matazu LGA of Katsina State.
“In the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation Hadin Kai on 13 September 2026, stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout around Soktu Hill in Song LGA of Adamawa State.
“Troops arrested six suspected members of a notorious kidnap syndicate operating within the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas, who confessed to having kidnapped more than seven victims and killing those who failed to meet ransom demands.
“Troops also recorded rescues and surrenders of persons fleeing terrorist captivity during the period.
“Between 12 – 13 September 2026, troops rescued a total of 14 abductees around the Armuda and Gava areas of Gwoza LGA of Borno State, including Mallam Sadiq, the Chief Imam of Ngoshe town who had been abducted during an attack on 3 Mar 2026.
“Similarly, from 15 – 17 September 2026, troops intercepted a woman who had escaped captivity after five months alongside and two abducted minors who had also been held for six months at Suyaka Camp on the Mandara Mountains, in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
“Troops also liberated two family members along the Gwoza-Limankara Road on 11 September 2026.
“In another development, a repentant terrorist surrendered with an AK-47 rifle, a hand grenade and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Benisheikh in Kaga LGA on 13 September 2026. “Similarly, two terrorists’ fighters from Bula Daloye enclave surrendered to troops in Bama LGA of Borno State on 17 September 2026 with three AK-47 rifles and other weapons.
“In related operations, troops arrested suspected terrorist collaborators, informants, and spies across the theatre.
“Troops arrested a suspect believed to be providing terrorists with information on military convoy movements at Kadauri in Kaga LGA of Borno State on 11 September 2026.
“Troops also arrested a suspected terrorists along the Dikwa-Ajiri Main Supply Route (MSR) on 15 September 2026, who was planning to plant an IED around the location of a military outpost.
“On 12 September 2026, troops arrested two suspected collaborators at Mongonu LGA of Borno State.
“In Kukawa town, troops arrested a suspect who had earlier fled to join terrorists before returning to visit his family.
“Additionally, a collaborator at Dikwa town in Dikwa LGA of Borno State was arrested by troops on 16 September 2026. He was suspected of mobilising females for the emplacement of IED at military locations.
“In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained operations against kidnapping in Edo State.
“On 12 September 2026, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Obaretin Community along the Benin-Sapele Road in Ikpoba-Okha LGA of Edo State.
“Several illegal items found in the suspect’s possession were confiscated, including an AK 47 rifle with ammunition
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka sustained operations against illegal oil bunkering and secessionist activities in Imo State.
“On 11 September 2026, troops discovered and dismantled an illegal bunkering site near Well Head 17/20 in Egbema West, Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State.
“Approximately 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil and structures used by the illegal bunkerers were destroyed.
“On 14 September 2026, troops intercepted and arrested a suspected secessionist IED fabrication expert, who had been on a watchlist, along the Umulolo Junction-Linka-Ihube axis near Okigwe, Imo State.
“The suspect, who was en route to procure materials for IED production, confessed to his affiliation with the secessionist group during preliminary interrogation.”
Furthermore, Major General Onoja said, “The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede applauds the courage, professionalism and sacrifice of troops across all theatres of operations for neutralising terrorists, rescuing scores of kidnapped and abducted citizens, dismantling logistics and informant networks, and dislodging economic saboteurs and secessionist elements from their hideouts.
“He extends heartfelt commiseration to victims who suffered injury or hardship during these encounters, and commends the seamless collaboration between troops and other security agencies, and other stakeholders, whose efforts continue to narrow the operating space available to criminal and terrorist elements nationwide.
“The CDS further commends the media for their continued fair and balanced coverage of military operations, and calls on all Nigerians, traditional institutions and community leaders to sustain their partnership with troops by providing timely and credible information.
“The AFN is determined to press forward with these operations until lasting peace, security and stability are achieved across every corner of the country.”
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