By Kazeem Waris
The Nigerian military has neutralised 41 terrorists, rescued 59 kidnapped victims and arrested 23 suspected terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers and improvised explosive device (IED) makers in intensified operations across the country.
The troops also discovered three illegal refinery sites in Rivers State, dismantled an illegal storage facility and uncovered an estimated 2,500 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as the Armed Forces stepped up efforts to combat insecurity and economic sabotage.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed the operational successes at the weekend, said troops had recorded significant gains across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East and Niger Delta regions.
Among the major successes were the killing of 25 terrorists during an attempted ISWAP infiltration of Kukawa town in Borno State, the rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State, and the neutralisation of a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo State.
Onoja said the operations reflected the military’s determination to dismantle terrorist networks, rescue abducted citizens and deny criminal groups the logistics and resources required to sustain their activities.
25 terrorists killed in Borno encounter
Giving details of the operations, Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai foiled a terrorist attack on Abakurari village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State on October 5, killing one terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle.
In a more significant encounter, ISWAP fighters attempted to infiltrate Kukawa town in Borno State on the night of October 6 but met stiff resistance from ground troops supported by the Air Component.
The engagement lasted several hours and extended into the morning of October 7, resulting in the death of 25 terrorists.
“During the engagement, troops neutralised 25 terrorists, recovered six AK-47 rifles, ten magazines, 797 rounds of PKT ammunition, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs, an anti-tank bomb and other equipment,” Onoja said.
He added that troops subsequently recovered two gunboat guns mounted on a riverbank in Kwatan Kuwait, Kukawa Local Government Area, and another AK-47 rifle in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area.
The military also recorded surrenders by suspected terrorists and rescued several people who escaped from terrorist captivity.
Among those rescued were two female abductees found around the Kuranabasa axis of Gwoza Local Government Area on October 4, alongside three escapees from Cameroon who were later handed over to the Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalion at Kirawa.
Troops also rescued three abductees who had reportedly been held captive for seven years around Armuda, as well as three others in the Gava area of Gwoza.
In Yobe State, troops arrested 12 suspected terrorist collaborators and smugglers allegedly conveying fish from the Niger Republic at Kanama, Yunusari Local Government Area.
Other arrests included a suspected logistics supplier at Mubi Market in Adamawa State, a high-profile suspected terrorist in Magumeri, Borno State, and another suspect along the Pulka-Firgi Road in Gwoza.
20 abducted corps members rescued in Imo
In a major breakthrough in the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka rescued 20 prospective corps members abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, around the Umunoha axis of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State.
A local woman who was reportedly abducted while on her way to the market was also rescued.
Onoja said the victims were recovered at Ndegwu community in Owerri West Local Government Area following sustained pressure by troops and other security agencies.
The military said search operations were continuing to locate and apprehend those responsible for the abductions.
The rescue comes amid persistent concerns over attacks, kidnapping and the safety of travellers along parts of the South-East’s major highways.
Senior ISWAP commander killed in Ondo
In another major operation, a combined team of security forces neutralised a senior ISWAP commander, identified as Abdussamad Ohida, during an operation in Owo forest, Ondo State, on October 2.
According to Onoja, Ohida was the deputy to the leader of ISWAP’s Central Nigeria faction and had assumed leadership of the group following the leader’s arrest by the Department of State Services in 2023.
“Further investigation revealed that prior to his neutralisation, the suspect had been planning large-scale attacks on citizens in some southern states,” he said.
The planned attacks were allegedly intended to coincide with the forthcoming festive season.
Onoja described the killing as a major setback for the group’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria, coming months after the killing of another senior Islamic State-linked commander.
Lakurawa terrorists suffer losses in Kebbi
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma repelled an attempted attack by a large group of Lakurawa terrorists in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7.
The attackers reportedly arrived on more than 100 motorcycles and were armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
Troops engaged the group, neutralising 10 terrorists, while others abandoned their weapons and fled.
Recovered items included 17 motorcycles, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, assorted ammunition and a communication device.
In Katsina State, troops conducted operations against terrorists in Malumfashi Local Government Area, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, a motorcycle and other items.
Troops working with local security personnel also rescued 18 kidnap victims unharmed in Unguwan Hudu village, Bakori Local Government Area, on October 1.
A seven-year-old boy abducted from Dogon Dawa village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State was rescued at Tsakiya village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 6.
The military also arrested a suspected terrorist in Faskari, Katsina State, and apprehended an alleged terrorist collaborator at Kuyello, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. The latter reportedly admitted to working with terrorists involved in kidnapping for ransom.
Troops raid kidnappers, arms traffickers’ hideouts
In the North-Central region, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke raided a suspect’s residence in Wura Baba village near Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, on October 7.
Although the suspect escaped, troops recovered a locally fabricated submachine-gun pistol and two rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The same day, troops raided the hideout of an alleged accomplice of a suspected arms trafficker at Sabon Gidan Usha, Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State, recovering 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace also arrested two suspected kidnappers at Makasa village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on October 2, following surveillance operations.
In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield arrested a wanted suspected terrorist along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area following the killing of a driver in the area.
Three people who had escaped from their abductors were subsequently rescued in Sabanginna Ndeji Forest, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Military dismantles illegal refineries in Rivers
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered three illegal refinery sites in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, during an anti-oil-bunkering operation on October 7.
The sites were handled by the troops as part of efforts to disrupt illegal refining and crude oil theft.
On the same day, troops operating in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State discovered an illegal storage facility containing an estimated 2,500 litres of stolen PMS.
The military said the operations were aimed at denying oil thieves access to facilities and resources used to sustain their illicit activities.
CDS warns terrorists’ collaborators as festive season approaches
Commenting on the operational successes, Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their courage and professionalism across the various theatres of operation.
He also paid tribute to military personnel who lost their lives in the defence of the country and urged serving troops to remain vigilant as the festive season approaches.
According to Onoja, the CDS commended the cooperation among security agencies and urged them to sustain intelligence sharing and joint planning.
The defence chief also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and citizens to reject criminal elements and report individuals suspected of aiding terrorists, kidnappers and other armed groups.
“A message goes out to all terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers and gunrunners that the net is closing in on them,” Onoja quoted the CDS as saying.
The CDS further appreciated the media for balanced reporting while cautioning against publishing unverified information or operational details that could undermine ongoing military operations.
Military pledges support for humanitarian operations
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces have pledged to strengthen cooperation with humanitarian organisations operating in the North-East to improve civilian protection and facilitate access to essential services.
Onoja disclosed that a delegation led by the Deputy Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Patricia Mucheche, visited the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, on October 8.
The visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the military and humanitarian partners.
The military assured the delegation that it would continue to provide a secure environment for humanitarian activities, improve information sharing and facilitate safe access to farmlands and essential supply routes.
Onoja said the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian partners and consolidating operational gains to create conditions for lasting peace and socio-economic recovery in the North-East.
He reiterated that the military would sustain its operations until peace and security were restored across the country.
