The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have rescued more than 40 kidnapped victims, arrested over 20 suspected terrorists, collaborators, and other criminal elements during coordinated operations across the country between July 10 and 16, 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
In a statement he issued on military operations nationwide, Onoja said that during the operations, the troops also neutralised several terrorists and dismantled criminal networks.
He said that the successes were recorded by troops of Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Delta Safe, and Udo Ka in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North East, leading to the surrender of 10 family members of terrorists, the arrest of six suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators, as well as the rescue of 13 abductees.
According to him, troops also foiled infiltration attempts around Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, neutralised terrorists during ambush operations and arrested a suspected foreign spy at Mallam Fatori in Borno State.
In the North West, Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested terrorist collaborators, neutralised three terrorists, and rescued 14 kidnapped victims in separate operations across Zamfara and Kebbi States.
He said troops also recovered vehicles and other items from fleeing terrorists while successfully repelling attacks on several communities.
The defence spokesman said troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued four kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara States, while forest guards neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and a Dane gun during an operation in Kwara.
He added that Operation Enduring Peace troops intercepted suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna State, arrested wanted criminal suspects in Plateau State and rescued four kidnap victims after foiling attacks along major highways.
According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested an ammunition courier conveying 60 rounds of ammunition in Nasarawa State and four suspected terrorist collaborators in Kogi State.
He said troops also rescued a school principal, a NECO official and two students abducted during an attack on an examination centre in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State after sustained pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon them.
Onoja said troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained the fight against crude oil theft by discovering and destroying illegal refining sites in Rivers State containing stolen crude oil and refining equipment.
He added that troops also neutralised two suspected kidnappers in Edo State, recovered three rifles and ammunition, and rescued three abductees.
In the South East, he said Operation UDO KA troops arrested suspected members of a proscribed secessionist group, recovered weapons and ammunition, and rescued two abductees along the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, courage, and dedication across all theatres of operation.
According to him, the CDS also applauded the intelligence-led collaboration among security agencies that led to the unconditional rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity without any concession to the abductors.
Oluyede urged Nigerians to continue supporting the AFN and other security agencies with timely and credible information, assuring that ongoing operations would be sustained until peace, security, and stability were fully restored across the country.
