The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said troops conducting internal security operations across the country rescued more than 100 kidnap victims and terrorist family members in the past week.
It said those rescued included 60 hostages who escaped after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet disrupted the movement of terrorists in Kebbi State.
The military high command disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, at the weekend.
Onoja said the troops also rescued 44 family members of terrorists, comprising 13 women and 31 children.
The terrorists family members had fled terrorist camps amid clashes between rival factions in Konduga, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Defence spokesperson said the operations were carried out between September 17 and 24.
According to Onoja, the Nigerian Air Force intervention made an appreciable impact in the Bazama area of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where terrorists were moving with a large number of kidnapped victims.
He said the jet carried out manoeuvres against the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their captives, who subsequently escaped their captors and were rescued by ground troops.
Onoja said the development was among several successes recorded by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West during the period.
He said troops rescued three victims along the Dandume-Damari Road in Katsina State on September 17, three others in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State on September 18, and 17 victims along the Isa-Kwanar axis in Sokoto State on September 20.
“Similarly, seven kidnapped university students along the Daye-Malumfashi Road in Katsina State were rescued on 21 September 2026,” he said.
Onoja added that five other victims, including the Executive Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, were rescued at Sekpore Village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area on September 24.
In the North East, Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI also recorded significant successes against terrorists in Borno and Yobe states, rescuing 44 terrorist family members in Konduga who had escaped from terrorist camps amid clashes between rival factions.
According to him, more than 20 terrorist fighters and family members also surrendered to troops in Gwoza, Dikwa and Ngala local government areas of Borno State during the week.
He said the defectors cited hardship and lack of basic necessities in terrorist enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for their surrender.
Onoja said troops also arrested several suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, including a suspected informant at Gajiram and a man allegedly transporting Starlink internet devices destined for Chad along the Dikwa-Gamboru Road.
He added that, in a separate operation in Yobe State, troops arrested four terrorists during an ambush at Azare village in Gujba Local Government Area on September 21, recovering ammunition, bicycles and foodstuff.
In the North Central, the Defence spokesperson said troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested 11 suspects following raids conducted after two kidnap victims were released at Gwafan Community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to him, four of the suspects were identified by the victims as members of the syndicate allegedly responsible for their abduction.
At Kudu Yamma in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, troops, working with Forest Guards, ambushed kidnappers, killing three and forcing others to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.
The troops also recovered a rifle and ammunition and rescued six kidnap victims.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested several suspected kidnappers and arms traffickers across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
In Nasarawa, troops arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin at Bukan Sidi in Lafia metropolis and recovered a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a luxury vehicle and N406,200 in cash.
The military said preliminary analysis of the suspect’s phone revealed evidence of alleged involvement in illegal militia activities.
In Taraba, troops arrested a suspect for illegal possession of firearms and recovered two AK-47 rifles hidden in separate locations.
The military also arrested suspected arms dealers and kidnappers in Benue and Kogi states, as well as a suspect allegedly attempting to purchase live ammunition illegally.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered about 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Bethel Creeks in Rivers State.
Onoja said troops discovered eight dugout pits, five of which contained suspected stolen crude oil, alongside hoses used for illegal crude oil movement.
The discovery followed an earlier recovery of about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil from illegal refining sites around Aworkiri in Rivers State on September 8.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, a rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle after suspected secessionist elements fled during an encounter at Obibi Forest in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The troops also arrested a suspected informant and recovered documents allegedly linking him to the group.
During the operation, the troops rescued a woman who had reportedly been kidnapped about two months earlier from her hairdressing salon in Ebematuo village, Orsu LGA.
Onoja commended the troops and other security agencies for their contributions to ongoing efforts to improve national security.
He said the military would sustain its operations across the country but urged “members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies.”
