The Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded major operational successes across the country between September 4 and 10, 2026, forcing 17 terrorist fighters and their family members to surrender, rescuing an abducted woman and her one-year-old child, and disrupting several terrorist logistics and arms-trafficking networks.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists on the ongoing military operations across the various theatres, saying troops sustained kinetic operations against terrorism, kidnapping and secessionist agitations nationwide.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained offensive operations across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, recording the surrender of 17 terrorist fighters and their family members in Monguno town and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State between September 4 and 7.
According to Onoja, the defectors cited harsh living conditions, hunger and lack of basic provisions within terrorist enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for abandoning the groups.
The military also rescued a female abductee and her one-year-old child near the Gava area of Gwoza LGA on September 8. The victim, an indigene of Chinene, disclosed that she had been forced into child marriage by her captors in 2025.
Troops also arrested several suspected terrorist fighters, informants and spies across the theatre during the period. Those arrested included a suspect bearing a gunshot wound who was apprehended while loitering near a troops’ location in Gwoza, as well as suspects arrested in Biu, Monguno and Hong LGAs.
The military further disrupted terrorist logistics networks, arresting suspected suppliers and recovering medical and veterinary supplies, pharmaceuticals, motorcycle spare parts and other materials allegedly intended for terrorist groups operating in Borno and Yobe States.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
On September 4, troops supported by an attack helicopter assaulted a suspected hideout of a notorious terrorist kingpin at Yantumaki Forest in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State, neutralising one terrorist while others fled. Motorcycles and medical supplies were also recovered.
Troops subsequently engaged terrorists at Magarya Forest in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State, recovering two motorcycles, a rifle and a machine gun. Another engagement along Gundumi Road in Isa LGA forced terrorists to withdraw into Gundumi Forest, with troops recovering a rifle.
In Zamfara State, troops foiled an attempted abduction of a senior nursing school staff member and his family at Yerima Quarters in Kaura Namoda LGA following a distress call.
The troops also intercepted a truck along the Gurbi-Zurmi Road in Jibia LGA of Katsina State on September 6 and recovered four motorcycles concealed within fuel and oil consignments reportedly destined for Zamfara State.
Follow-up operations led to the arrest of 12 suspects. Troops also arrested a suspected spy at Dange Market in Dange Shuni LGA of Sokoto State after he allegedly attempted to evade arrest through financial inducement.
In Kaduna State, a suspected terrorist collaborator was arrested in Birnin Gwari LGA, where troops recovered radio equipment allegedly linked to a reprisal attack on residents.
On September 10, troops intercepted a suspected ammunition courier along the Birnin Gwari axis and recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed in her belongings.
In the North Central, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD maintained their presence in Niger State as part of efforts to consolidate gains against terrorist elements.
On September 9, troops conducting a fighting patrol on the outskirts of Dekara Village in Borgu LGA recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition reportedly abandoned by terrorists who had attacked a military location in the area on August 21.
In the South South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE continued operations in Edo State, arresting four suspected kidnappers during a raid on a Fulani camp within Sasaro/Agor Forest in Akoko-Edo LGA.
On September 7, troops, working with the Nigeria Police and local security groups, engaged suspected kidnappers at a ransom collection point along Juju Junction, behind Ambrose Alli University in Esan West LGA. The suspects abandoned their victims and fled into nearby bushes, with one reportedly sustaining a gunshot wound.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA continued operations against secessionist elements and armed criminality in Anambra and Enugu States.
Troops raided Chike Onochie Crescent along the Abakaliki Expressway in Enugu East LGA on September 4 and arrested two suspects accused of using their phones to plan attacks on security agencies.
A further raid at Gariki Akwata Market in Enugu East resulted in the arrest of another suspect and the recovery of a locally made pistol and knives.
In Anambra State, troops responding to a distress call at Umuoba Anam in Anambra West LGA on September 7 recovered a locally fabricated pistol from the residence of a suspect reportedly sighted in possession of a firearm.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, commended troops across all theatres for their operational successes, particularly the neutralisation of terrorists, disruption of logistics and arms-trafficking networks, surrender of terrorist fighters and their families, and rescue of kidnapping victims.
Oluyede also commended the collaboration between the military, other security agencies and stakeholders, saying the synergy continued to strengthen the nation’s collective response to terrorism, kidnapping and secessionist agitation.
He praised the media for professional and balanced reportage of military operations and urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing timely and useful information to security agencies.
The CDS assured that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations while conducting its activities in accordance with its Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement, International Humanitarian Law and other international best practices.
The latest operational figures are consistent with reports of fresh gains announced by Defence Headquarters, including the surrender of 17 terrorists in Borno and the recovery of 300 rounds of ammunition along the Birnin Gwari axis.
