By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded a series of operational successes against terrorists, kidnappers, criminal gangs and secessionist elements across the country, leading to the surrender of insurgents, arrest of suspects, recovery of arms and ammunition, and the rescue of abducted victims.
The military said the achievements were recorded during coordinated operations conducted nationwide between September 4 and 10, 2026, as troops intensified kinetic and intelligence-driven actions in various theatres of operation.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the development on Friday during a briefing on ongoing military operations. He said the Armed Forces remained determined to dismantle terrorist networks, curb kidnapping and restore lasting peace across affected communities.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained pressure on terrorist enclaves in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, resulting in the surrender of 17 terrorist fighters and their family members in Monguno and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Borno State.
According to the military, the surrendered terrorists cited harsh living conditions, hunger and lack of basic necessities within terrorist camps located in the Mandara Mountains as reasons for abandoning the insurgent group.
Troops also rescued a female abductee and her one-year-old child near Gava in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The victim revealed that she had been forced into marriage by her captors in 2025.
Several suspected terrorist fighters, informants and spies were equally arrested during operations in Gwoza, Biu, Monguno and Hong local government areas of Borno and Adamawa states.
The military further disrupted terrorist logistics networks through a series of arrests and seizures. Suspected suppliers of medical materials, pharmaceuticals and motorcycle spare parts intended for terrorist groups were apprehended in Borno and Yobe states.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma recorded significant successes in Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and Zamfara states. An attack helicopter-supported operation at Yantumaki Forest in Katsina State neutralised a terrorist and led to the recovery of motorcycles and medical supplies.
Troops also engaged terrorists in Magarya and Gundumi forests in Sokoto State, recovering weapons including rifles and a machine gun during follow-up operations.
In Zamfara State, security forces foiled the attempted abduction of a senior nursing school official and his family after responding promptly to a distress call.
A major breakthrough was also recorded in Katsina State where troops intercepted a truck transporting four motorcycles concealed inside fuel and oil consignments. The operation led to the arrest of the driver and 12 additional suspects during follow-up investigations.
The military said troops further arrested a suspected spy at Dange Market in Sokoto State who allegedly attempted to bribe security personnel to secure his release, but was apprehended after troops rejected the inducement.
In Kaduna State, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator and recovered communication equipment linked to attacks on local communities. Another operation along the Birnin Gwari axis resulted in the interception of a suspected ammunition courier carrying 300 rounds of ammunition.
In the North-Central theatre, troops of Operation Savannah Shield recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition abandoned by terrorists near Dekara Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Operations in the South-South also yielded positive results as troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested four suspected kidnappers during a raid on a camp in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
Security forces later engaged kidnappers at a ransom collection point near Ambrose Alli University in Esan West Local Government Area, forcing the criminals to abandon their victims and flee with suspected gunshot injuries.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka intensified operations against criminal and separatist elements in Enugu and Anambra states.
Military raids in Enugu East Local Government Area led to the arrest of three suspects allegedly involved in planning attacks against security agencies, while weapons including a locally fabricated pistol and knives were recovered.
A separate operation in Anambra West Local Government Area resulted in the recovery of another locally made pistol from a suspect’s residence following a distress call from residents.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops across all theatres for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the successes reflected the Armed Forces’ determination to neutralise terrorists, disrupt criminal networks and protect citizens.
He also praised the collaboration between the military, other security agencies, community leaders and the media, urging Nigerians to continue providing timely and credible information that would support ongoing operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.
