How Military killed 11 terrorists, arrested 22, rescued 25 kidnapped victims in one week – Official

Nigerian troops have neutralised 11 terrorists, arrested 22 suspects and rescued 25 kidnapped victims across different theatres of operation in the country in the past week, the Defence Headquarters has said.

The operations also led to the recovery of weapons and ammunition, the disruption of suspected terrorist logistics networks and the surrender of several fighters and their family members to security forces.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures in an operational update covering activities across the country between October 9 and 15, 2026.

According to him, about seven terrorist fighters and members of their families surrendered to troops during the period, with some handing over weapons and ammunition. Blueprint reports

The operations were conducted under various military formations, including Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Enduring Peace, Savannah Shield, Delta Safe and Udoka, as troops sustained offensives against terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other criminal activities.

Troops intensify operations in North-East

In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded several arrests, surrenders and weapons recoveries, particularly in Borno State.

On October 9, troops took custody of a suspected terrorist family member, identified as Iyakura Umar, who surrendered with her one-year-old daughter at Dikwa-Gulumba in Dikwa Local Government Area after escaping from Iyaganari.

The following day, troops working with the Civilian Joint Task Force arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, Abubakar Modu and Alhaji Bura, in Monguno. The suspects were allegedly transporting supplies intended for Kwatan Dowoshi in Kukawa Local Government Area.

On October 12, troops arrested three suspected collaborators identified as Modu Ibrahim, Abubakar Bunu and Tujja Mairami in Gubio, recovering three vehicles during the operation.

Further operations on October 13 resulted in the arrest of five suspected collaborators in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area, with a locally made Dane gun recovered.

Troops also received the surrender of three individuals at Miyanti in Bama Local Government Area, alongside an FN rifle, two magazines and 14 rounds of 7.62mm by 51mm ammunition.

In Monguno, Abacha Akura surrendered with an AK-101 rifle and 31 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition after reportedly escaping from a terrorist camp at Tumbunma village, near Bukar Meriam in Marte Local Government Area. Another individual, Abba Bukar, subsequently surrendered in the same town after escaping from the same location.

On October 14, troops received two surrendered terrorist fighters and their spouses from Bula Daloye in Bama, alongside two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition. Eight additional terrorist family members also surrendered at Banki Junction in the same local government area.

In a separate clearance operation at Nguma village in Biu Local Government Area, troops neutralised a suspected terrorist who attempted to flee.

Troops also rescued two abducted persons, Bello Ibrahim and Ibrahim Adamu, around the Kuranabasa axis in Gwoza Local Government Area on October 15.

The Defence Headquarters further reported that troops repelled an attack by terrorists approaching from the Lar axis in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State on October 12, neutralising one attacker and recovering an AK-47 rifle.

During subsequent operations in the area, troops recovered a PKT machine gun, ammunition links containing 67 rounds, six AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, 157 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a 60mm mortar bomb and other equipment. Four additional bodies of suspected terrorists were reportedly discovered during patrols.

Kaduna, Sokoto operations yield arrests, weapons

In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma continued operations against armed groups, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Kaduna and Sokoto states.

On October 9, troops operating around Galadimawa sighted three suspected terrorists fleeing with a kidnapped person. The troops engaged the suspects, forcing them to abandon the victim.

On October 10, troops responded to a report that a resident travelling from Dogon Dawa to Takama village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State was under attack by an armed group.

The troops engaged the assailants and recovered an AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition. Following further tracking and monitoring, they arrested Yusuf Iliya Sani at Maraban Kakini.

The suspect was allegedly involved in kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault and killings in Birnin Gwari, according to the military update.

On October 12, troops on patrol from Fatika encountered suspected terrorists at Farin Dutse, along the Dogon Marte area of Giwa Local Government Area. A search of the area led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.

In Sokoto State, troops responded to a distress call concerning suspected terrorists at Soruro village in Tangaza Local Government Area. The encounter resulted in the death of one suspected terrorist and the recovery of an AK-pattern rifle, a magazine and 27 rounds of ammunition.

Troops subsequently conducted a clearance operation in Waria Forest, also in Tangaza, on October 15. One suspected terrorist was neutralised, while two AK-47 rifles and two magazines were recovered.

The military said the operation formed part of sustained efforts to disrupt armed groups and deny them freedom of movement in the area.

Military targets arms trafficking, kidnapping in North-Central

In the North-Central, troops of Operation Enduring Peace carried out covert operations in Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State, arresting a suspected arms fabricator at Heipang in Barkin Ladi.

Three other suspects were arrested over alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking.

Items recovered included a locally fabricated revolver rifle, a fabricated pistol, a fabricated AK-47 barrel, an AK-47 magazine and 42 rounds of 7.62mm by 54mm rimmed ammunition.

On October 10, troops arrested Yusuf Suleiman at Barkin Ladi Main Market. He was allegedly linked to the attack on Kassa community on September 24, as well as suspected kidnapping, armed robbery and the killing of a resident identified as Mr Gyang on April 16.

Two additional suspects were arrested on October 14 during a raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Ruga in Methodist Kisahyip, Agingin, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield took custody of Sidi Kamaki, who voluntarily surrendered at Audu Fari in Borgu Local Government Area on October 9.

The individual reportedly claimed to have spent about two years with an armed group he described as part of Darul Salam associated with the Shekau faction. He also claimed to have participated in six operations in Borgu and the Republic of Benin.

Meanwhile, troops operating in Kwara State rescued 18 kidnapped victims after responding to a distress call concerning the abduction of residents from their farmlands in the Eruku-Egbe-Koro Forest area of Ekiti Local Government Area.

The operation, conducted on October 10 by troops working with local security groups, forced the abductors to abandon the victims and flee into the forest.

Two AK-47 magazines containing four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.

Kidnap victims rescued in Niger Delta

In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe rescued two abducted persons in separate operations.

On October 11, troops on routine patrol along the Okene-Okpella Road rescued a woman identified as Mrs Halima Ibrahim after her abductors fled upon sighting the advancing security personnel.

On the same day, troops and other security agencies conducted an operation in Sasaro Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, following a tip-off.

The operation led to the rescue of an abductee, Prince Michael Akao, and the neutralisation of three suspected kidnappers. Security personnel also recovered three locally fabricated firearms, nine cartridges and other items.

The military said the operations were part of continuing efforts to disrupt kidnapping networks and improve security along vulnerable routes and in forested areas.

Three suspects arrested in Abia

In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka arrested three suspects at Atan-Ihechiowa village in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State on October 14.

The suspects were identified as Ozioma Mark, described by the military as a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) kingpin, Kalu Obasi and Kamba Igwu Ogbonna.

Two motorcycles and cash were recovered during the operation.

On the same day, a suspected IPOB member was handed over to troops at Lilu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State by local security volunteers.

The military did not provide further details about the suspects or the specific allegations against them.

Defence chief urges sustained cooperation

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended personnel for their resilience and urged them to sustain the momentum of operations while remaining vigilant against threats.

According to the defence spokesman, Oluyede also called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and operational collaboration to improve the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities.

The defence chief urged the media to report accurately and responsibly, while appealing to traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to continue working with security agencies by providing useful information about criminal elements operating within their communities.

He stressed that national security required collective responsibility and sustained cooperation among the military, other security agencies and members of the public.

The latest operational figures reflect military activity across several regions, with reported successes ranging from the rescue of abducted persons and the recovery of weapons to the arrest of suspected collaborators and the surrender of individuals linked to armed groups.

However, the Defence Headquarters did not provide a breakdown of the 11 terrorists reportedly neutralised across all theatres or identify all 22 suspects arrested during the week. The military’s operational update also did not specify whether all rescued victims had been reunited with their families.