By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded significant operational gains across the country in August 2026, rescuing 610 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), while neutralising more than 324 terrorists and other criminal elements.
The military also arrested 373 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other criminal activities, while 201 insurgents surrendered during sustained offensives across various theatres of operation.
The figures were disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, during the monthly briefing on military operations in Abuja.
According to the Defence Headquarters, troops combined intelligence-driven operations, aerial surveillance, precision strikes and coordinated ground assaults to degrade terrorist networks and criminal groups across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-South regions.
One of the most remarkable achievements was the rescue of 308 abducted persons, mainly women and children, during an operation around the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5. The victims included 163 residents of Woro Community in Kwara State and 145 persons from Niger State.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 60 kidnap victims, neutralised 114 terrorists and arrested 146 suspects. The operation also recorded the surrender of several insurgents, with the military attributing the development to sustained operational pressure and worsening conditions within terrorist enclaves.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West rescued 126 victims, neutralised 190 terrorists and arrested 47 suspects. Troops also eliminated 30 terrorists during a major clearance operation in Sokoto State, targeting elements believed to be linked to notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji.
In the North-Central region, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 329 victims across Kwara and Niger States, accounting for more than half of all persons rescued nationwide during the month. Troops also secured the release of the Onigbesi of Igbesi Kingdom, Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, alongside two women in Kwara State.
The military further disclosed that troops recovered 88 assorted weapons and 2,077 rounds of ammunition while dismantling several terrorist camps, logistics hubs and supply routes.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations until terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity are decisively defeated.
