From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters ( DHQ) says between the period of 17th and 24th September 2026, its troops in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and oil theft have rescued over 100 kidnapped victims, neutralized score of terrorists, while others surrendered to troops with their families.
According to Defence Headquarters within the period, troops also arrested other criminal suspects, recovered arms and ammunition among other items nationwide.
In a statement signed and issued to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained operational momentum in all theaters across the various geopolitical zones between 17 – 24 September 2026.
He said the military operations were conducted to counter terrorism, kidnappings and oil theft in order to create a safe and secure environment in the country.
Highlighting to some of these major operations across various threatres, he said in the North East under Operation Hadin Kai,troops sustained operations against terrorism in Borno and Yobe States to frustrate terrorist freedom of action and rescuing abducted civilians.
According Major General Onoja, within the period, troops at Gajiram in Nganzai LGA of Borno State, backed by a helicopter gunship of the Air Component, countered a large-scale terrorist advance, forcing the terrorists to withdraw into Gajiram town and adjoining bushes.
They also ambushed terrorists near Benisheikh, forcing them to flee.Troops further ambushed a group of terrorists in Azare village in Gujba LGA of Yobe State, arresting four terrorists in possession of ammunition with bicycles and foodstuff.
In the most significant rescue of the period he said, troops intercepted and rescued 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama LGA of Borno State on 24 September 2026. Believing that the rescued family members were confirmed to have escaped from the terrorist camps amid clashes between rival terrorist factions.
Troops he said, also recorded a wave of surrenders and arrests of terrorist collaborators throughout the period.
“Between 18 – 24 September 2026, over 20 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to troops in different locations including Gwoza LGA, Dikwa LGA and Ngala LGA, all in Borno State.
“In related operations, troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant at Gajiram on 20 September 2026, and a logistics supplier conveying Starlink internet devices destined for Chad along the Dikwa-Gamboru Road on 23 September 2026.
“Also, on 24 September 2026, a suspected collaborator and a spy was arrested by troops at Geidam market in Yobe State, while a suspected kidnapper was arrested at Gubio town in Borno State with an AK-47 rifle”. He confirmed.
The Defence Media Operations noted that in the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma supported by the Air Component have sustained large-scale operations against terrorism and kidnapping in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
He said in a major success, a Nigerian Air Force jet intercepted terrorists moving with a large number of kidnapped victims within the Bazama area of Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State.
He said “the jet carried out maneuvers to the terrorists’ movement, thereby enabling over 60 kidnapped victims to escape their captors. On the ground, troops rescued the abducted victims in a series of operations, including three victims along the Dandume-Damari Road in Katsina State on 17 September 2026.
“Troops further rescued three victims in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State, on 18 September 2026. Seventeen kidnapped victims were rescued along the Isa-Kwanar Axis in Sokoto State on 20 September 2026.
“Similarly, seven kidnapped university students along the Daye-Malumfashi Road in Katsina State were rescued on 21 September 2026. Five victims, including the Executive Chairman of Bungudu LGA, were equally rescued at Sekpore Village in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State on 24 September 2026.
“In related operations, troops disrupted arms trafficking and bandit logistics networks across the theatre. On 20 September 2026, troops arrested four suspected members of a terrorist group conveying rustled cattle near Illela town in Sokoto State. Between 23 – 24 September 2026, troops engaged terrorists near the rail line in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.
“Troops captured a rifle and ammunition and arrested a suspect with a locally fabricated pistol at Awom community in the same LGA. On 24 September 2026, troops arrested three suspects at Faskari LGA of Katsina State, found to be conveying ₦2,700,000 in cash intended for a notorious terrorist kingpin.” He said.
In the North Central under Operation Savannah Shield he said, troops
maintained vigilance against several threats in Niger State.
During the period,troops on a fighting patrol from Dekara to Babanna detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) laid by terrorists along the Dekara-Masaka-Machan Geda-Baturen Daji Road in Borgu LGA of Niger State.
Under operation Whirl Stroke, troops sustained operations against kidnapping and arms trafficking in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States.
Major General Michael observed that troops rescued four kidnap victims along the Takum-Katsina-Ala Road in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State, and they raided the residence of a suspected kidnap kingpin at Bukan Sidi within Lafia metropolis of Nasarawa State, as well as arrested the suspect and discovered a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a luxury vehicle and cash amounting to ₦406,200.00.
He said the preliminary investigation and analysis of the suspect’s phone revealed undeniable evidence of involvement in illegal militia related activity. Confirming that a suspect is currently undergoing further investigation.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace he said have also sustained operations against kidnapping and illegal arms possession in Bauchi, Kaduna, and Plateau States.
He noted that following the kidnap and release of two victims at Gwafan Community in Jos North LGA of Plateau State, troops conducted raids across Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills on 19 September 2026 and the raid led to the arrest of 11 suspects, four of whom were identified by the victims as members of the syndicate responsible for their abduction.
Same day, troops arrested two suspects for illegal possession of firearms at Mangu and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State, and found locally fabricated weapons and ammunition in their possession.
“On 20 September 2026, troops raided suspected hideouts at Kibam, Ungwan Haruna, Nunku and Fadan Wate Villages in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State and arrested five suspects believed to be terrorising residents within the area.
“Similarly, troops, in collaboration with the Forest Guards, conducted an ambush at Kudu Yamma in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State, on 21 September 2026.
“The ambush resulted in the neutralization of three kidnappers while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds. On exploiting the general area, troops discovered a rifle with ammunition, and also rescued six kidnap victims.”He stated.
Director, Defence Media Operations said in the South-South region, troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained operations against oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the South South geopolitical zone and contiguous states.
He said within the period,troops uncovered approximately 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Bethel Creeks in Rivers State and eight dugout pits, five of which contained the stolen product alongside hoses used for illegal crude oil movement.
“The operation formed part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s efforts to dismantle the storage and transfer infrastructure used by oil theft syndicates.
” The operation follows an earlier discovery of approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at illegal refining sites around Aworkiri on 8 September 2026. This seizure underscored the military’s continued resolve to deny oil thieves access to facilities supporting their illicit activities.” He further explained.
Major General Onoja however explained that under operation Udo Ka in the South East, troops have sustained operations against secessionist elements in the region.
Specifically, he said on 23 September 2026, troops and local security groups while on patrol around “Mother Valley” in Ihitte Owerri in Orsu LGA encountered suspected secessionist terrorist at Obibi Forest. Following the encounter, troops discovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, a rifle, ammunition, a motorcycle and other items abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
The same day, troops also arrested a suspected informant along with documents linking him to the group. In the course of exploitation, and rescued a female victim who had been kidnapped approximately two months earlier from her hairdressing salon in Ebematuo village, Orsu LGA.
He noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have maintained the momentum of operations in the various geopolitical zones of the country during this period.
“This is indicative of the successes gained through inter-service coordination that continues to define the Armed Forces’ resolve to secure the territorial integrity of our great nation, Nigeria.” He said.
He also said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM commended the gallantry and bravery of troops for upholding the AFN’s constitutional mandate and keeping our beloved country safe from the enemies of peace and our flourishing democracy.
He also commended the invaluable partnership between troops and other security agencies, local security groups, and other stakeholders, whose contributions continue to strengthen the collective security architecture of the nation, as well as commended the media for their balanced and professional coverage of military operations, and urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible and timely information to troops. Assuring that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly committed to sustaining the current momentum of operations until lasting peace and security are guaranteed across every part of the country.