Military eliminates 26 terrorists, rescues 22 kidnap victims

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — Troops conducting operations across the country have neutralised 26 terrorists, rescued 22 kidnapped victims and arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in the past week, the Defence Headquarters has said.

The military also said several terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops during operations across different geopolitical zones.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday while providing an update on military operations between late September and early October 2026.

Onoja said the military recorded significant operations against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the North-East, North-Central, Niger Delta and South-East.

He said the troops had also continued efforts to rescue the remaining victims following the mass abduction of passengers along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Imo State on October 1.

According to him, gunmen had stopped two commercial buses conveying 30 passengers at Umonuwa village in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area and abducted 20 persons, including several prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members.

“Ten passengers, including eight identified prospective corps members, were rescued unharmed,” he said.

He added that a joint search-and-rescue operation involving troops of Operation Udoka, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, with support from the Nigerian Air Force component of the operation, was ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining abductees.

Troops neutralise 21 terrorists in Adamawa, Anambra

Giving details of the operations, Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai had sustained operations against terrorism in Borno and Yobe states, recording surrenders and arrests of suspected terrorist collaborators.

He said a terrorist family member and her daughter surrendered to troops along the Dikwa-Gulumba route in Dikwa LGA of Borno State on September 30.

He added that three terrorists surrendered to troops in Monguno, Borno State, on October 1 after escaping from their camp at Tumbunma village in the Lake Chad region of Abadam LGA.

“All surrendered persons were taken into custody for further action,” he said.

Onoja said troops also arrested a suspect posing as an Islamic cleric in Babbangida, Tarmuwa LGA of Yobe State, on September 30.

He said the suspect claimed to be travelling from Niger Republic to Maiduguri but was unable to produce any means of identification.

On the same day, troops, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, arrested another suspected terrorist informant in Monguno following sustained tracking and monitoring.

He said both suspects were being held for investigation.

According to him, troops supported by the Air Component conducted coordinated operations in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State on October 1 and neutralised five terrorists.

Items recovered included three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges.

He added that a separate air operation, following surveillance that detected a concentration of terrorists and motorcycles, resulted in the neutralisation of 16 terrorists and destruction of 15 motorcycles.

In Anambra State, Onoja said troops working with the Anambra Local Security Group rescued three persons abducted from the Osakwa area of Ihiala LGA.

He said one of the arrested kidnappers disclosed that the syndicate’s camp was located at Abator in Ogbaru LGA, across the Isieke waterside.

According to him, troops conducted a follow-up operation by canoe to the camp on October 1 and engaged the terrorists.

“The operation resulted in the neutralising of 10 terrorists,” he said.

Troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, three Dane guns, ammunition and materials for fabricating improvised explosive devices.

Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Benue

In Benue State, Onoja said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued three persons suspected to have been released by kidnappers.

He said the troops, while on patrol in Gbise Community, Katsina-Ala LGA, were alerted to the presence of the three persons on October 1.

The victims told troops that they had been kidnapped in Takum LGA of Taraba State.

He said efforts were ongoing to track the kidnap syndicate responsible for their abduction.

Troops rescue NDLEA operatives in Cross River

In Cross River State, troops of Operation Delta Safe responded to a security incident in Abi LGA following a raid by personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at Ekureku Community.

Onoja said residents allegedly mobbed and disarmed the NDLEA personnel while attempting to resist the arrest of a suspect.

He said troops responded promptly, rescued the NDLEA operatives and recovered five FN rifles and two Beretta pistols that had been seized by the residents.

The troops subsequently escorted the NDLEA personnel safely to Ugep Community before returning to base.

Onoja said the operation demonstrated the importance of cooperation between the military and other security agencies in addressing security challenges.

He said the successes recorded during the period underscored the continued vigilance and momentum of military operations across the country.

The Director said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, commended the troops for their courage and professionalism.

He particularly commended the swift intervention that supported NDLEA personnel in Cross River State and the ongoing multi-agency operation to secure the safe return of the NYSC members abducted along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

Onoja said the CDS also commended the collaboration between troops, security agencies and other stakeholders, describing the combined efforts as central to the country’s security architecture.

He urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible and timely information to security personnel.

“The AFN remains firmly committed to sustaining the current tempo of operations until lasting peace and security are secured across every part of the country,” he said.

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