The Nigerian military has reported the arrest of dozens of suspected terrorists, kidnappers, informants and logistics suppliers, while troops also recovered firearms, ammunition and other military hardware during operations across the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on military operations conducted between September 4 and 10, 2026.
According to him, troops also secured the surrender of 17 terrorist fighters and their family members in Borno State during sustained operations by Operation Hadin Kai.
Onoja said the terrorists surrendered in Monguno town and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road, citing harsh living conditions, hunger and lack of basic provisions in their enclaves on the Mandara Mountains.
He said, “The AFN sustained its kinetic operations across all theatres of operations nationwide. It recorded several successes in the ongoing campaign against terrorism, kidnapping and secessionist agitations during the period.”
The military spokesman said troops also rescued a female abductee and her one-year-old child near Gava in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
He said the woman, an indigene of Chinene, disclosed that she had been forced into child marriage by her captors in 2025.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma conducted offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Onoja said troops, supported by an attack helicopter, raided a suspected hideout of a terrorist kingpin at Yantumaki Forest in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing one terrorist while others fled.
The troops also recovered motorcycles, medical supplies, rifles and a machine gun during operations in Sokoto.
In another operation, soldiers intercepted a truck along the Gurbi-Zurmi Road in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State and discovered four motorcycles concealed within fuel and oil consignments allegedly destined for Zamfara State.
The driver was arrested, while a follow-up operation led to the arrest of 12 suspects.
The military also said troops foiled an attempted abduction of a senior nursing school staff member and his family in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, following a distress call.
In a major ammunition seizure, troops intercepted a suspected terrorist courier along the Birnin Gwari axis and recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed in her belongings.
In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition abandoned by terrorists following an earlier attack on troops.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested four suspected kidnappers during a raid on a Fulani camp in Sasaro/Agor Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The troops, in collaboration with the police and local security groups, also disrupted a ransom collection operation near Ambrose Alli University in Esan West Local Government Area.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka arrested suspects accused of planning attacks against security agencies in Enugu State and recovered locally fabricated weapons in Enugu and Anambra states.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for the successes recorded across the theatres.
He also called for greater cooperation between the military, other security agencies and communities.
According to him, “The sustained and invaluable collaboration between troops and other security agencies as well as other stakeholders continues to strengthen the nation’s collective response to terrorism, kidnapping and secessionist agitation.”
