The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) rescued 363 victims and arrested scores of terrorists, informants, logistics suppliers, and other criminal suspects during one week of operations across the country. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while providing weekly updates on ongoing military operations.
Operations Yield Major Rescues and Arrests
According to Mr Onoja, the operations resulted in the neutralisation of terrorists, recovery of arms and ammunition, disruption of logistics networks, and dismantling of illegal oil refining facilities. In the North-east, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 35 victims, including women and children, while arresting suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers during clearance and interdiction operations.
He highlighted a notable rescue on 31 July when troops foiled an attempted abduction along the Buratai-Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, rescuing 31 persons. The victims comprised 22 adult males, five adult females, and four children, who were rescued after troops pursued fleeing terrorists towards Mangari-Dora.
Rescues and Surrenders in Borno
“Troops also rescued two women and two children on 1 August after discovering them at a terrorist enclave near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area,” Mr Onoja said. “The four victims had reportedly been held captive since the 2023 farming season before their recovery and subsequent handover to the community leadership.”
Between 2 August and 4 August, several family members of suspected terrorists surrendered to troops in Gwoza, Konduga, and Bama Local Government Areas. “20 other suspected terrorists surrendered to troops at Kwuari in Konduga, while troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and recovered foodstuffs destined for terrorist elements,” he added.
Mr Onoja further disclosed that troops rescued 18-year-old Blessing Tuggur, who was abducted in November 2025 at Dogoba Kopre axis in Askira Uba, Borno.
North-west and North-central Operations
In the North-west, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA apprehended 21 persons attempting to cross into Birnin Kebbi, with five subsequently identified as terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services. Four other suspects were arrested at Darusa Village Market in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where six rustled cattle, mobile phones, and N165,000 were recovered.
The air component of the operation also conducted a precision strike on terrorists gathered with about 15 motorcycles at Kampani Bobi and Beri Settlement in Mariga, Niger State. In the North-central, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops rescued nine kidnapped victims and arrested suspected criminals, including a suspected gun runner.
Seven victims abducted along the Wukari-Zaki-Biam Road were rescued in Ukum, Benue, while two others were rescued during a separate kidnap incident at Oke Ere in Yagba West, Kogi. Troops also arrested suspected associates of wanted terrorist leader Mathew, popularly known as “Full Fire”, after destroying his hideout at Sabongida Leke in Ukum.
Largest Rescue in Niger State
The defence spokesperson said troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded the largest single rescue operation during the period, freeing 308 abducted persons in Kainji Lake National Park, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger. The victims comprised 163 indigenes of Woro in Kwara State and 145 persons from Niger State, with women and children constituting the majority.
Troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant in Nuku community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara, during the ongoing operations.
South-south and South-east Operations
In the South-south, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued 11 kidnapped victims along the Lagos-Benin Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo. They also sustained operations against crude oil theft, dismantling illegal refining sites and recovering large quantities of suspected stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.
In the South-east, Operation UDO KA troops arrested several suspects linked to an ambush on soldiers and recovered weapons and ammunition from camps in Rivers, Delta, and Imo States. The operation also led to the arrest of five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra following an attack on Fulani herders in Enugu.
“Troops recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device during follow-up operations,” Mr Onoja said.
Commitment to Security
The defence spokesperson said the operations demonstrated the Armed Forces’ sustained commitment to rescuing victims, disrupting criminal networks, and denying terrorists freedom of action. He added that the military would sustain collaboration with other security agencies, local security groups, and communities to enhance intelligence gathering and improve security nationwide.
According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their discipline and commitment, urging Nigerians to continue providing useful information to security agencies. “He also assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations until peace and stability were fully restored across the country,” he added.
