By Saminu Ibrahim
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised scores of terrorists and kidnappers, rescued several abducted persons, including a baby, and arrested 50 suspected terrorists and their collaborators during coordinated military operations across the country.
The operations, conducted between October 30 and November 5, 2026, also led to the recovery of several weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and other logistics used by criminal groups.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying troops sustained offensive operations across the country’s geopolitical zones to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace and security.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled terrorist attacks on military positions in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, and Bitta in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
According to the statement, troops recovered the bodies of 48 terrorists following the attack on Buni Yadi on October 29, alongside 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.
Another seven terrorists were killed after troops repelled an attempted infiltration of their position in Bitta, where four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio were recovered.
The military also reported that 12 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered between November 2 and 4 at different locations in Borno State, citing sustained military pressure and disagreements between rival JAS and ISWAP factions.
Troops rescued a female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains and arrested 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers during operations across the theatre.
In a joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), troops also arrested 36 suspects during searches at motor parks in Maiduguri on November 5 to disrupt terrorist supply networks.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 18 kidnapped victims in separate operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The statement said seven victims were rescued around Rambo Village in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State after troops pursued fleeing terrorists, while four others were rescued following an ambush along the Wasagu-Falfala Road.
Another seven kidnapped victims were rescued during operations around Geso and Ayan Geso in Maru LGA of Zamfara State.
Troops also arrested two suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers in Kaduna State, while a suspected terrorist seeking treatment for gunshot wounds at a clinic in Kagarko LGA was apprehended in collaboration with the Department of State Services.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a suspected terrorist during a stop-and-search operation at Kukawa Village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State.
The suspect was allegedly found with an AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm Special ammunition and reportedly belonged to a terrorist syndicate.
Similarly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE intensified operations against kidnappers and armed gangs in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states, neutralising several suspects and recovering weapons and ammunition.
In Kogi State, troops overran criminal hideouts in Edimogbo and Obele forests, neutralising five suspected kidnappers in separate encounters.
The operations led to the recovery of six AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition, bandoliers and other items.
Troops also rescued six kidnapped civilians, including a baby, following a response to a distress call at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.
Other operations resulted in the arrest of a wanted member of the Konyo Boys bandit group in Takum LGA, the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and the surrender of a terrorist, his wife and two children in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State.
A suspected logistics supplier and a gunrunner were also arrested in Kogi and Benue states, respectively.
In another operation, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 15 kidnap victims during an encounter with bandits around Rijiyan Nagwamatsé in Kontagora LGA of Niger State.
The troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles, ammunition and N4.105m during the operation.
In Kwara State, troops and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria neutralised two suspected Ansaru terrorists during an ambush at Nanu Village in Kaiama LGA.
Another injured kidnapping suspect was arrested at Dusai Village in Mariga LGA of Niger State, while three kidnap victims escaped from their captors in Lema-Ndeji Forest, Edu LGA of Kwara State.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued a kidnapped victim following an attack by gunmen on a compound at Okwe Ubahu Nneato in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State.
Troops also recovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges during a search of a shop near the Marine Outpost at Otuocha in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their courage, resilience and sacrifices in the various theatres of operation.
He also honoured the memory of an officer, a soldier and a civilian hunter who lost their lives in the line of duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would remain indelible in the nation’s memory.
Oluyede appreciated the contributions of other security agencies and called for sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated operational planning to consolidate the gains recorded.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to provide timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities to security agencies through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.
The Defence Chief also cautioned citizens against providing logistics support to criminal groups, engaging in mob action or spreading misinformation and disinformation.
He urged media organisations to maintain balanced and responsible reporting of security matters, warning against publications capable of compromising ongoing operations or undermining public confidence.
The CDS assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the ongoing military operations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders until lasting peace, security and stability were restored across the country.
