From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that troops conducting nationwide operations between July 10 and 16, 2026, rescued more than 40 kidnapped civilians, arrested suspected terrorists and their collaborators, and recovered arms, ammunition and other items.
In a statement issued to Defence Correspondents in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops also neutralised scores of terrorists and disrupted their criminal networks during the period.
According to him, troops, in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups, recorded significant successes ranging from the neutralisation and arrest of terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements to the rescue of abducted citizens and the recovery of illegal arms, logistics and items linked to economic sabotage.
He said the achievements were recorded by troops of Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Delta Safe and Udo Ka across different parts of the country.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai intensified operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, leading to the surrender of 10 family members of terrorists, the arrest of six suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators, and the rescue of 13 abductees.
Major General Onoja said four family members of terrorists surrendered to troops on July 10 in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State after escaping from Kunde near the Mandara Mountains.
He added that troops also arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier, Mohammed Goni, at the Molai entrance gate in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Defence Media Operations Directorate further disclosed that between July 12 and 13, six more family members of terrorists surrendered to troops deployed at Pulka along the Gwoza-Limankara road in Borno State.
Onoja said troops also foiled infiltration attempts around Maiduguri, neutralised terrorists during ambush operations and arrested a suspected foreign spy at Mallam Fatori in Borno State.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested terrorist collaborators, neutralised three terrorists and rescued 14 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The troops also recovered vehicles and other valuables abandoned by fleeing terrorists while repelling attacks on several communities.
Under Operation Savannah Shield in the North-Central, the military spokesman said troops rescued four kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara states, while forest guards neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines and a Dane gun during an operation in Kwara State.
He added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace intercepted suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna State, arrested wanted criminal suspects in Plateau State and rescued four kidnap victims after foiling attacks along major highways.
Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested an ammunition courier carrying 60 rounds of ammunition in Nasarawa State and apprehended four suspected terrorist collaborators in Kogi State.
Major General Onoja disclosed that sustained military pressure forced kidnappers to abandon a school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) official and two students abducted during an attack on an examination centre in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, leading to their safe rescue.
On operations in the Niger Delta, he said troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed illegal refining sites in Rivers State containing stolen crude oil and illegal refining equipment as part of efforts to tackle crude oil theft.
He added that troops also neutralised two suspected kidnappers in Edo State, recovered three rifles with ammunition and rescued three abducted victims.
In the South-East, the Director of Defence Media Operations said troops of Operation Udo Ka arrested suspected members of a proscribed secessionist group, recovered arms and ammunition, and rescued two abductees along the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The Defence Headquarters said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, courage and commitment across all theatres of operation.
The CDS also praised the intelligence-driven cooperation among security agencies which resulted in the unconditional rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after spending 56 days in captivity without any ransom being paid to the abductors.
He called on Nigerians to continue supporting the military and other security agencies with credible and timely information in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.
