Troops rescue 59 kidnapped victims, neutralise scores of terrorists in one week
by Hassan Muaz · The Eagle OnlineThe Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops rescued at least 59 kidnapped victims and neutralised 11 terrorists during operations nationwide between August 14 and 20, 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said this in a statement he issued to newsmen on Saturday.
The statement focused on the military’s operational activities across the country during the period.
Onoja said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued eight kidnapped victims during the week in the North East.
He said troops also rescued three victims from Gwamnare Forest in Bauchi and one 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis.
According to him, troops also neutralised three terrorists, recovered weapons and other war materiel, while 47 family members of terrorists and six fighters surrendered to troops in Borno State.
In the North West, Onoja said the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 28 abducted persons across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States between August 17 and 19, 2026.
He said the troops also neutralised four terrorists, arrested an explosives courier and other suspected terrorist collaborators, and recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and cash.
He said that the operation further led to the arrest of six suspected informants linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family and staff and students of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.
Onoja said: “In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims, comprising two men, five women and six children, in Kogi state.
“The troops also neutralised two suspected criminals, arrested an arms courier and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other weapons during separate operations in Taraba and Benue.
“Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered several firearms, fabricated rifles, Dane guns and ammunition during a raid on suspected criminals in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.
“In Kwara, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, while seven kidnap victims were rescued during a night patrol in Patigi Local Government Area.”
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Onoja said that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested suspected kidnappers and an arms trafficker, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition, and a camouflage vest in the South South.
He said that troops also disrupted three illegal refining sites in Rivers State, recovering about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
The defence spokesman said the troops of Operation UDO KA dismantled suspected secessionist camps, recovered weapons and safely cleared multiple improvised explosive devices across Imo, Anambra and Abia States in the South East.
He said the troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia State, arrested suspects and recovered suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil, motorcycles and a vehicle.
He added: “On August 20, troops conducting clearance operations towards ‘Mother Valley’ in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra cleared 11 IEDs.
“Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos, as part of the AFN’s civil-military cooperation initiatives.”
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their sustained successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists, and degrading criminal networks.
He said that Oluyede also commended the synergy between the military, other security agencies and local security groups, while urging Nigerians and community leaders to continue providing useful information to troops.
“He also appreciated the media for its professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations, assuring Nigerians that the military will sustain the tempo of operations until peace and security are restored nationwide,” he said.
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