By Saminu Ibrahim
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have rescued 119 travellers abducted by terrorists in Borno State, arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and destroyed several criminal hideouts during coordinated operations across the country.
The military also neutralised terrorists, recovered arms and ammunition, cleared explosive devices and rescued other kidnapped victims in operations conducted across various geopolitical zones between November 6 and 12, 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, outlining the operational successes recorded by troops under various joint task forces.
According to the statement, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued the 119 victims, comprising 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children, after terrorists blocked the Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road and abducted civilians in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, on November 6.
Onoja said troops immediately mobilised and pursued the terrorists along the Mangari-Dora Road, forcing them to abandon their captives.
The troops also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device planted by the terrorists in the area.
In another operation in Borno, troops recovered a PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, three magazines and 125 rounds of ammunition following an attack on their location around Kalla Maula in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Other operations along the Monguno-Maiduguri Road resulted in the rescue of additional abductees and the confiscation of a vehicle used by the terrorists.
In Adamawa State, troops, working with local security groups, rescued a woman and two other residents unharmed at Dutse-Uku in Mubi South Local Government Area. Their vehicles and farm produce were also recovered and returned to them.
The military further repelled terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Yobe states, recovering two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 115 rounds of PKT ammunition, while one terrorist was neutralised along the Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Buni Gari Road.
The statement added that four terrorist fighters and 13 members of their families surrendered to troops at different locations in Borno State between November 6 and 8.
One of the fighters surrendered with an FN rifle and seven rounds of ammunition, while nine family members, including two women, were handed over to Nigerian troops by the Cameroonian Defence Force at Banki.
The military attributed the surrenders to sustained operational pressure and conflicts among rival terrorist factions.
Troops also arrested 15 suspected terrorist collaborators, informants and spies in Maiduguri and Benisheikh, while additional suspects involved in supplying logistics to terrorists were apprehended in Borno State.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA cleared several communities and adjoining forests in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, rescuing two kidnapped victims.
The troops also neutralised a terrorist at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State and recovered an AK-47 rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones.
“In another operation along the Anka-Gurusu-Gumi Road in Zamfara State, troops rescued three kidnapped commuters following an attack on their vehicle along the Kombo-Gurusu Road.
“However, the driver was found dead inside the vehicle and his remains were evacuated”.
Troops also arrested two suspected terrorists, a father and his son, with an AK-47 rifle at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE cleared terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, destroying structures used by the armed groups.
The operation yielded 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, two motorcycles, radios, mobile phones and camouflage uniforms.
Two terrorists were also neutralised near Kukawa Village, while another was killed during a clearance operation in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State. “Troops recovered four motorcycles and two mobile phones” the statement said.
The military further disclosed that the Emir of Bogwas handed over six AK-47 rifles and six magazines to troops in Alkaleri on November 10. The weapons were reportedly surrendered by armed elements following military operations at Dajin Madam.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted clearance operations against armed groups and kidnapping networks in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
During an operation at Komodoro and Mashigin Kirya villages in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, troops engaged suspected terrorists and recovered five motorcycles.
In Benue State, troops arrested a suspect with five rounds of 9mm ammunition at Abako Village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
Community leaders subsequently handed over an AK-47 rifle, an FN rifle loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition and two pump-action rifles, reportedly recovered by a local security group.
Troops also raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Wayo Community, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, arresting two suspects linked to the abduction of a resident of Gada Biyu in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area on November 4.
In the North-Central and South-West, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD intensified operations against terrorists in Niger, Oyo and Kwara states.
At the Kainji Lake National Park in Niger State, troops detonated five Improvised Explosive Devices, repelled two probing attacks, neutralised two terrorists and arrested 11 locals suspected of collaborating with the armed groups.
They also recovered six abandoned motorcycles and 10 mobile phones while clearing Oli Camp and advancing towards Oli River.
Onoja said further operations on November 8 resulted in the clearance of 32 additional IEDs along the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana axes.
In Oyo State, troops operating in the Old Oyo National Park, in collaboration with local security groups, recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun following an encounter with suspected terrorists.
They also discovered the body of a suspected criminal and destroyed temporary shelters believed to have been used as hideouts.
In Kwara State, troops raided the residences of suspected terrorist collaborators at Oke-Ode Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, recovering five Dane guns and nine cartridges.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects”.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA foiled an alleged attempt by suspected cultists to ambush oil tankers at Awara Community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
The troops engaged the criminals, forcing them to flee into the forest with gunshot wounds.
An AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, two magazines and 36 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene.
Reacting to the operational successes, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and commitment to restoring peace and security across the country.
Oluyede, who spoke through the Director of Defence Media Operations, also expressed condolences to the family of the commuter killed during the attack in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
He commended security agencies, local security groups and other partners for their collaboration, particularly recognising the Emir of Bogwas for supporting peace efforts through the surrender of recovered weapons.
SINL Nigeria Online reports that the CDS also urged the media to maintain responsible and balanced reportage, warning against the glorification of violence or publication of information capable of jeopardising ongoing military operations.
He called on communities and stakeholders to provide timely intelligence to security agencies, stressing that information about suspicious movements and activities could help save lives.
Oluyede further cautioned troops against complacency, urging them to maintain professionalism and respect for human rights in all their operations.
