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The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has rescued over 70 kidnapped victims, arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin and arrested arms traffickers.
The military high command said troops also disrupted several criminal networks across the country during sustained military operations between October 15 and 22, 2026.
Director of Defense Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to him, the operations, conducted across the six geopolitical zones, also led to the arrest of five members of a criminal syndicate responsible for the kidnapping of prospective corps members in Imo State, while troops recovered $10 million suspected ransom payments in Kano State.
Onoja said other major progress recorded during the week was the rescue of 27 abducted villagers in Gamji community, Katsina State, and 29 residents who fled terrorists attempting to kidnap farmers in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to him, the military also rescued abducted passengers, farmers, herders and other civilians in separate operations across Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and other states, while several terrorists, kidnappers and their collaborators were arrested or neutralized.
He said the operations reflect the Armed Forces’ determination to deny freedom of action to terrorists, kidnappers, arms traffickers and other criminal elements.
According to him, the troops also recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, communications equipment and other items used by criminal networks.
Onoja said the operations had further weakened terrorist and kidnapping networks, while sustained pressure forced several fighters and their family members to surrender in the northeast.
“Operation HADIN KAI troops supported offensive operations in Borno and Yobe states, recording recovery of arms and ammunition following clearance operations around Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
“The operations, conducted between October 16 and 18, resulted in the recovery of eight AK-47 rifles, two pump action pistols, 300 rounds of PKT ammunition, two rocket-propelled bombs and magazines, a portable radio and a motorcycle,” he said.
The military also revealed that 19 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to troops in Bama, Konduga, Mafa and Gwoza local government areas of Borno State between October 16 and 22.
According to him, individuals cited hunger, deprivation and violent clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for fleeing their camps.
Troops also arrested alleged suppliers and logistics collaborators of the terrorists in Borno and Yobe states, including individuals allegedly involved in the supply of clothing materials for the terrorists’ uniforms.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded significant progress against terrorists and kidnappers in Sokoto, Katsina and Kano states.
The DHQ said troops rescued 27 villagers, including 15 men and 12 women, after responding to a distress call from Gamji community in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State on 16 October.
The victims had been kidnapped by the terrorists, but the troops engaged the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee.
The rescued victims were later handed over to the village head after profiling, while the military said several terrorists sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
