The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have rescued more than 70 kidnapped and abducted persons, arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin and dismantled several criminal networks during intensified military operations across the country between October 15 and 22, 2026.
The operations, conducted across the six geopolitical zones, also led to the arrest of five members of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.
Among the major breakthroughs were the rescue of 27 villagers abducted in Gamji community, Katsina State, and 29 farmers targeted by terrorists in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Troops also recovered ₦10 million suspected to be ransom money in Kano State, arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin and an accomplice in Mokwa, Niger State, and disrupted arms trafficking and kidnapping networks in several states.
The military disclosed these achievements in a briefing on ongoing operations signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, on October 23, 2026.
According to the briefing, the operations formed part of sustained efforts by the military and other security agencies to deny terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners and other criminal elements freedom of action.
North-East: Terrorist Logistics Networks Disrupted
In the North-East, troops of Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, sustained offensive operations against terrorist groups in Borno and Yobe states, recording fresh arrests, weapons recoveries and the surrender of fighters and their family members.
Following an attack on a military location in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, troops conducted clearance operations between October 16 and 18.
The operations resulted in the recovery of eight AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 300 rounds of PKT ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenade bombs and chargers, a handheld radio and a motorcycle.
Troops also intercepted two abductees who had escaped from separate terrorist captivity situations.
One of the escapees, a resident of Monguno, had been abducted alongside 11 others around Minati in Kukawa Local Government Area on October 17. Efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims.
Another escapee was intercepted on October 22 after fleeing from Chikide Village in the Mandara Mountains along the Guduf-Bubayagwa axis of Gwoza Local Government Area. The victim was subsequently handed over to the office of the internally displaced persons camp in Gwoza.
The military also intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist supply chains, arresting suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators in Benisheikh Market, Kaga Local Government Area, on October 16.
Further arrests followed in Kanama, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State, and Damboa, Borno State, where suspects were reportedly supplying clothing materials used to produce terrorist uniforms for camps in Maidaji and Multe.
Between October 16 and 22, a total of 19 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to, or were intercepted by, troops in Bama, Konduga, Mafa and Gwoza local government areas of Borno State.
The individuals reportedly cited hunger, hardship and violent clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for abandoning their camps.
In another operation, troops arrested a female suspected collaborator at Ngurusoye in Bama Local Government Area on October 22 while she was allegedly escorting a woman to a terrorist enclave.
The military also recorded the surrender of a suspected terrorist in Buni Gari, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. The individual reportedly claimed to have been recruited through a social media group in 2024.
North-West: 27 Villagers Rescued in Katsina
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained operations against terrorism and banditry in Kano, Katsina and Sokoto states, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering weapons and other operational equipment.
One of the major successes occurred on October 16 when troops responded to a distress call from Gamji community in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State following the abduction of 27 residents, comprising 15 men and 12 women.
The troops engaged the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives.
All 27 victims were rescued, profiled and handed over to the village head. The military said several of the fleeing terrorists were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
In Kano State, troops tracked kidnappers who had demanded ransom for a resident abducted in Fanyabo Village, Tudun Wada Local Government Area, to Yan Taburmi in Falgore Forest between October 16 and 17.
The operation resulted in the neutralisation of two kidnappers and the rescue of the victim.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of ₦10 million suspected to be ransom money paid by the victim’s family.
The money and the rescued victim were handed over to the family in the presence of the district head, the leader of the local security group and the divisional police officer.
In Sokoto State, troops continued clearance operations following an earlier encounter with terrorists at Waria Forest, engaging another group at Sarma Village in Tangaza Local Government Area on October 15.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an additional neutralised terrorist, six motorcycles, several rifle magazines, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a handheld radio.
The recovery of two additional AK-47 rifles brought the total number of such weapons captured during the operation to four.
Troops also engaged terrorists riding three motorcycles at Kurba Village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 16, recovering one motorcycle.
Additionally, a suspected terrorist collaborator was arrested at Anguwan Kwanni in Sokoto town on October 18.
Niger: Wanted Terrorist Kingpin Arrested in Mokwa
In Niger State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded significant breakthroughs in efforts to protect farming communities from terrorist attacks and kidnapping.
On October 15, troops deployed in Bangi responded to a distress call over an attempted abduction of farmers by terrorists riding seven motorcycles at Magaji Mai Kadarko Village in Bangi District, Mariga Local Government Area.
The troops rescued 29 residents who had fled into nearby bushes during the attack.
However, one resident was reportedly killed by the attackers before the troops arrived.
Three days later, troops arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin and his accomplice at the kingpin’s residence in Mokwa town.
Four mobile handsets and an undisclosed amount of cash were recovered during the operation, while efforts continued to apprehend other identified members of the network.
North-Central: Kidnap Victims Rescued Across Three States
Across the North-Central region, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE and Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained operations against kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking and other criminal activities.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Bangai Fulani Hamlet in Riyom Local Government Area on October 20.
The operation followed an engagement with the kidnappers, who fled into the surrounding high ground.
Two persons abducted on October 18 while travelling to Jos were rescued, while three suspects, including an alleged logistics supplier, were arrested.
The rescued victims were reassured, and their families were contacted.
In Kogi State, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE ambushed kidnappers transporting victims from Kwara State into Kogi along the route between Okoloke and Isanlu-Esa communities in Yagba West Local Government Area on October 16.
The kidnappers abandoned five victims and fled, allowing the troops to rescue the victims and hand them over to community leaders.
The following day, troops working with local security groups rescued a herder abducted at Kabusu in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The victim was found tied up and abandoned beneath a tree along the Gurku-Kawu grazing route.
Troops also rescued 11 passengers after pursuing attackers who had assaulted a commercial bus along the Ayere-Kabba Road in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State on October 19.
The driver and two other passengers sustained injuries and were evacuated for medical attention.
In Taraba State, troops raided the hideout of a suspected second-in-command to a gang leader operating in the area at Kufai Ahmadu community, Takum Local Government Area, on October 19.
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The suspect was neutralised, while a pistol, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and charms were recovered.
Military Targets Gunrunners, Militia Leaders
Beyond the rescue operations, troops intensified efforts to dismantle arms trafficking networks and criminal groups operating across Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.
On October 19, troops arrested a wanted gunrunner and militia leader at Jape Village in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.
The following day, troops arrested a suspected arms dealer in Jalingo, Taraba State, over an alleged attempt to sell 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The suspect subsequently disclosed the location of three AK-47 rifles.
On October 21, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Kala in Lankaviri, Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State. Further operations led to the arrest of other members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly operating with six AK-47 rifles.
Troops also raided the residence of another militia leader at Abako in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State on October 22, subsequently destroying the militia’s hideout.
In Nasarawa State, two suspects were arrested at Kwarra in Keana Local Government Area on the same day in connection with a kidnapping incident reported earlier.
The military said security agencies were monitoring the situation to prevent further threats and maintain peace in the affected community.
South-South: Troops Neutralise Suspected Kidnapper in Edo
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted offensive operations against suspected kidnappers at Amendokhian Forest in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State on October 20.
The operation resulted in the neutralisation of one suspect and the recovery of a pump-action rifle and six live cartridges.
The military said the operation was part of sustained efforts to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
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South-East: Five Arrested Over Abduction of Corps Members
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In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of five suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of 20 prospective corps members in Imo State.
The suspects were arrested on October 16 during a joint security operation in the Irete/Orogwe area of Owerri West Local Government Area.
The operation followed sustained efforts to track down members of the criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction.
Troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, an English pistol and 81 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
In Anambra State, troops responded to a distress call from a local security group following a suspected attack by secessionist elements on its personnel at Udoka Layout Gate, Nsugbe Abata, in Anambra East Local Government Area.
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The attack reportedly left one member of the local security group unconscious.
Troops pursued the fleeing suspects, forcing them to abandon a bus and escape in another vehicle.
The abandoned bus, bearing the inscription of an anti-touting squad, was recovered alongside a pump-action gun and five cartridges.
Defence Chief Commends Troops, Warns Criminal Collaborators
Reacting to the achievements, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops across the various theatres for their resilience and commitment to restoring peace and security.
He particularly praised their efforts in rescuing the 27 villagers in Katsina and 29 residents in Niger State, recovering the suspected ransom in Kano and sustaining the surrender of terrorist fighters and their family members in the North-East.
According to the briefing, the operational successes demonstrate increasing pressure on terrorist groups and their support networks.
The Defence Chief, however, cautioned troops against complacency, warning that criminal groups facing sustained military pressure could remain dangerous.
He urged personnel to maintain discipline, respect human rights and adhere strictly to the rules of engagement during operations.
Oluyede also commended other security agencies for their collaboration and acknowledged the media’s role in reporting military activities.
He called on journalists to exercise caution and verify information, particularly when reporting sensitive communal issues, to avoid escalating tensions.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders were also urged to promptly report security threats, reject mob action and refrain from providing shelter or other forms of support to criminals.
The Defence Chief warned terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners that security forces would continue to pursue them wherever they might be hiding.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the operational tempo and strengthening collaboration with other security agencies until peace and security are restored across the country.
The latest operations highlight the military’s continuing focus on rescuing victims, disrupting criminal supply chains and targeting the networks that sustain terrorism, kidnapping and arms trafficking. However, the reported successes also underscore the persistent security challenges confronting communities across several states and the need for sustained operations, intelligence-sharing and public cooperation.
Source: Defence Media Operations briefing on military activities from October 15 to 22, 2026, signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, on October 23, 2026.
