MILITARY RESCUES 44 KIDNAP VICTIMS, NEUTRALISES TERRORISTS IN WEEK-LONG OPERATIONS

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued 44 kidnapped persons and neutralised scores of terrorists in sustained military operations across the country between August 20 and 27, 2026. The operations, which also targeted kidnapping, terrorism, arms trafficking and illegal oil activities, resulted in several arrests, recovery of weapons and disruption of criminal networks across various theatres.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops recorded significant successes in the North East, North West and North Central regions.

In Borno, troops rescued 11 abducted persons, including women and children, while 21 terrorists were neutralised during a clearance operation in Kopre Mountain, Adamawa State, with six AK-47 rifles, 23 magazines and 586 rounds of ammunition recovered. In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 31 kidnapped victims in Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara States during separate operations.

The troops also arrested suspected terrorists, gunrunners and logistics suppliers, while recovering firearms, ammunition, cash, communication equipment and other items linked to criminal networks. In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued two kidnap victims in Lokoja, Kogi State, while also arresting suspected terrorists and gunrunners involved in arms trafficking.

The military also recorded successes in other theatres, including the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, motorcycles and mobile phones following a terrorist attack in Niger State. In the South South, troops disrupted illegal oil refining and crude oil theft operations in Rivers and Imo States, recovering more than 200,000 litres of suspected stolen or illegally refined petroleum products and arresting several suspects. In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA, working with the Department of State Services and local security personnel, raided suspected IPOB/ESN strongholds in Anambra State. One terrorist was neutralised, while pump-action guns, motorcycles and materials suspected to be used in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices were recovered.

The military also continued operations against illegal oil bunkering and the transportation of illegally refined petroleum products

.The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their gallantry, discipline and sustained commitment to protecting citizens and the nation’s territorial integrity. He also praised the collaboration between the military and other security agencies, while urging Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible information to security agencies. The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to sustaining the current tempo of operations against terrorism, kidnapping, economic sabotage and other forms of criminality.