Military Rescues 36 Kidnap Victims, Arrests Terrorist Suspects Across Six States

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Defence Headquarters says troops rescued at least 36 abducted civilians and arrested several suspected terrorists, informants and criminal gang members during operations across the country between August 31 and September 3, 2026.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the operations targeted terrorist and kidnapping networks in the North East, North West, North Central and South East.

In Zamfara State, troops rescued 23 civilians—three men and 20 women—who had been held captive for about three weeks on the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka Local Government Area. Six other kidnap victims were rescued in Kebbi, while two were rescued along the Dandume–Birnin Gwari Road in Katsina State.

Troops also rescued five male kidnap victims from farms along the Kotonkoro-Bangi Road in Niger State and forced kidnappers to abandon two women abducted in Kogi State. In the North East, troops recorded several counter-terrorism successes, including the neutralisation of suspected terrorists and arrests of alleged logistics suppliers, informants and spies.

Twenty-one women and children also surrendered to troops in Borno State, citing clashes between rival terrorist factions.The military said troops in the North West also intercepted 793 rounds of ammunition concealed in a sack of grain in Kaduna State, while weapons and other military items were recovered during operations in Zamfara and Sokoto states.

In the South East, two suspects were arrested in Anambra for allegedly providing medical treatment to secessionist elements, while another suspected member of a secessionist syndicate was arrested in Enugu.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops and urged continued collaboration with other security agencies and communities to provide intelligence needed to sustain military operations nationwide.