69 Terrorists Eliminated, 360+ Abductees Rescued As Military Intensifies Nationwide Operations

The Defence Headquarters has announced major gains recorded by Nigerian troops during military operations conducted across various parts of the country over the past week, saying 69 suspected terrorists were neutralised, 49 suspects arrested and more than 360 kidnapped victims rescued.

According to Ireporter Online, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures while providing an update on the military’s ongoing operations across the country.

Onoja said the operations also targeted crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, where troops dismantled three illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 251,600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and petroleum products. Twelve illegal storage pits and reservoirs were also destroyed.

The military spokesman disclosed that one soldier was killed during the operations, while another sustained injuries.

In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai reportedly prevented an attempted abduction along the Buratai-Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State on July 31. The troops pursued the suspected attackers towards Mangari-Dora and rescued 31 victims comprising 22 men, five women and four children. Four vehicles and a motorcycle allegedly belonging to the attackers were also recovered.

The military also reported the arrest of a suspected terrorist informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Further operations in Gwoza Local Government Area led to the rescue of two women and two children who were allegedly held in a terrorist enclave since the 2023 farming season. The victims were subsequently handed over to the community leadership in Ngoshe.

The DHQ said several individuals linked to terrorist groups also surrendered or were intercepted in Gwoza, Konduga and Bama during the period under review, while 20 others reportedly surrendered to troops at Kwuari in Konduga.

Security forces also arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Monguno and Magumeri local government areas of Borno State. Food and other provisions allegedly meant for terrorist elements were recovered during the operations.

In another breakthrough, troops rescued 18-year-old Blessing Tuggur, who was allegedly abducted around the Dogoba Kopre axis of Askira Uba Local Government Area in November 2025. She was reportedly reunited with her family after receiving medical attention.

In the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma intercepted 21 persons travelling through Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Following profiling, five were identified as suspected terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services for further investigation.

Troops also arrested four suspects in Sokoto State and recovered six suspected rustled cattle, mobile phones and ₦165,000 allegedly linked to an intended sale.

The military’s Air Component also carried out surveillance and an air operation around suspected terrorist positions in Niger State, reportedly killing several suspects and destroying logistics and equipment.

In the North-Central, troops under Operation Whirl Stroke conducted operations across Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, leading to several arrests and rescues.

A suspected gunrunner identified as Victor Idoko was arrested in Makurdi, Benue State, with two locally fabricated pistols and other items reportedly recovered from his residence.

Seven kidnapped victims were also rescued in Ukum Local Government Area after they were allegedly abducted along the Wukari-Zaki-Biam Road.

In Nasarawa State, troops intercepted a motorcycle carrying two women and recovered 10 AK-47 magazines and 551 rounds of ammunition. Another operation led to the recovery of additional ammunition and the suspects were handed over to the police.

The military also reported foiling an attempted kidnapping along the Lokoja-Okene Road in Kogi State, while troops and local security personnel responded to another abduction in Yagba West Local Government Area, rescuing two victims and killing one suspected attacker.

One of the biggest rescue operations recorded during the week occurred in Niger State, where troops under Operation Savanna Shield rescued 308 kidnapped victims from the Kainji Lake National Park in Borgu Local Government Area.

The rescued victims, mostly women and children, reportedly included 163 people from Woro village in Kwara State and another 145 from Niger State. A suspected terrorist informant was also arrested in Kwara State.

In Edo State, troops responded to a kidnapping incident along the Lagos-Benin Road and rescued 11 victims following a pursuit of the suspected abductors.

The military also intensified its crackdown on illegal oil activities in Rivers and Delta states, dismantling illegal refining sites and recovering large quantities of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.

In the South-East, troops arrested several suspects allegedly connected to an earlier ambush on military personnel in which one soldier was killed and another injured.

The arrests reportedly led security forces to additional locations in Delta State, where three more suspects were apprehended. Arms and ammunition allegedly linked to the attack were subsequently recovered from suspected camps.

Troops also recovered weapons allegedly buried in Egbema, Imo State, following the voluntary surrender of a militant leader through the state’s amnesty programme.

In Enugu State, security forces arrested five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra following a search operation linked to an earlier attack on herders. A suspected hideout was destroyed, while two General Purpose Machine Guns, ammunition and an improvised explosive device were reportedly recovered.

The DHQ further disclosed that troops foiled another kidnapping attempt along the Nsukka-Obollo Road in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, forcing the suspected abductors to abandon their victim and flee.

Reacting to the developments, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops and other security personnel for their commitment to restoring peace and stability across the country.

The military leadership also praised the cooperation between the Armed Forces, other security agencies, local security groups and community stakeholders, assuring Nigerians that operations would continue across the various theatres until security and stability are restored.