Reps hail DHQ as troops rescue many abductees, kill terrorists’ commanders

Members of the House of the Representatives have commended the Defence Headquarters under the leadership of General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede following his stance and the frontline troops’ resolve to get rid of terrorists disturbing the peace of Northern region and other geopolitical zones of the country.

The lawmakers’ commendation came amid intensified efforts being made by the troops of the Nigerian military attached with different theatres of operations including Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Whirlstroke, Safe Haven, among others.

Daily Trust reports that the frontline troops in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Borno and some other places, have continued to neutralise terrorists kidnapping some victims while neutralising scores of the criminal gang.

Speaking for the House of Representatives’ lawmakers, the deputy spokesperson for the House, Philip Agbese, disclosed that the Nigerian Armed Forces have moved beyond rhetoric in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Agbese, a Labour Party lawmaker from Benue State, described recent military operations as evidence of growing pressure on terrorist networks across the country.

According to him, the reported neutralisation of terrorists, rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of weapons and arrest of suspects in some parts of the country showed that troops were increasingly taking the battle to criminal groups rather than merely responding to attacks.

“Nigeria’s Armed Forces have gone beyond rhetoric. We are now a nightmare to terrorists,” Agbese said in a statement issued in Abuja and obtained by Daily Trust on Monday.

777 kidnapped victims rescued in July, August

According to figures released by the Defence Headquarters, troops conducted a series of operations across the country in July and August, neutralising 1,487 terrorists and insurgents, rescuing 777 kidnapped victims and arresting 354 suspects.

The operations also resulted in the recovery of 91 firearms, 1,331 rounds of ammunition and 44 improvised explosive devices.

In the North-East, troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai continued operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province elements.

The Defence Headquarters, through the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, said the operation in August resulted in the neutralisation of 114 terrorists, the arrest of 146 suspects and the rescue of 60 kidnapped victims.

In the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma also intensified operations against terrorist groups and bandits operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, recently reported that Operation Hadin Kai had neutralised 1,993 terrorists, arrested 2,645 suspects and rescued 1,778 civilians during the period covered by the Army’s operational assessment.

He also reported the recovery of weapons and ammunition and said improved security had enabled some displaced communities, including Mallam Fatori, Kukawa and Ngoshe, to begin returning.

‘Nigerians owe military officers gratitude for risking their lives’

Commenting on the achievement and successes recorded so far under the leadership of General Oluyede, the Reps deputy spokesman said the CDS deserves commendation for strengthening cooperation among the Army, Navy, Air Force and other security agencies.

Our correspondent reports that the CDS has repeatedly stressed the importance of collaboration among the armed forces, police, Department of State Services, local security groups and communities in confronting terrorism and other security threats.

The lawmaker, while speaking on the figures, said the figures reflected increasing operational pressure on terrorist groups in the North-East and North-West, where the military has sustained offensive operations against insurgents and armed groups.

Agbese said the character of the operations was changing, with intelligence gathering, air strikes, ground offensives and inter-agency coordination increasingly being deployed together to disrupt terrorist command structures, logistics and supply routes.

He noted that the significance of the operations should not be measured solely by the number of terrorists killed or arrested, but also by the disruption of their logistics, command structures and ability to hold communities hostage.

“The rescue of hundreds of innocent Nigerians, many of them women and children who had spent months in captivity, speaks volumes about the commitment and professionalism of our troops.

“These brave men and women continue to risk their lives every day so that ordinary Nigerians can live in peace, and as a nation, we owe them our gratitude and unwavering support,” Agbese said.

He noted that the increasing surrender of insurgents was another important development, arguing that it reduced the manpower available to terrorist organisations while creating opportunities for security agencies to obtain intelligence about their networks and operations.

Agbese, however, cautioned against complacency, saying recent operational gains should be consolidated through sustained investment in military equipment, intelligence, surveillance, logistics and personnel welfare.

According to him, the reported gains were not the result of battlefield operations alone but also reflected coordination between the political leadership and military commanders.

“The sacrifices being made by personnel on the front lines must be matched by effective leadership, coordination and the provision of the equipment and intelligence required to sustain operations,” he added.

Provide credible information to troops, Reps urge Nigerians

He also urged Nigerians to provide credible information to security agencies, stressing that community intelligence remained critical to identifying terrorist hideouts, logistics suppliers and collaborators.

According to him, stronger cooperation among security agencies and between federal, state and local authorities was equally necessary because terrorist and bandit networks often operate across administrative boundaries.

While acknowledging that significant security challenges remain, Agbese said the recent operational successes represented an important shift in the fight against terrorism. “We must sustain the momentum and deny terrorists the opportunity to regroup,” he said.

He expressed confidence that continued military pressure, improved intelligence, stronger inter-agency cooperation and adequate support for troops would further weaken terrorist networks and create conditions for the restoration of normal life in affected communities.

Military intensifies efforts in September, moves to clear North of insurgents

Checks by our correspondent showed that troops of the Nigerian Military attached with Operations Hadin Kai, Fasan Yamma, Savannah Shield and Whirl Stroke, have continued to dominate the Northern region with a view to ensuring citizens with their two eyes closed.

Giving an update on the exploits of the frontline troops, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Onoja explained that the military operations were conducted to counter terrorism, kidnappings and oil theft in order to create a safe and secure environment in the country.

In the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained operations against terrorism in Borno and Yobe States to frustrate terrorist freedom of action and rescue abducted civilians.

Specifically, on September 17th, 2026, troops at Gajiram in Nganzai LGA of Borno State, backed by a helicopter gunship of the Air Component, countered a large-scale terrorist advance, forcing the terrorists to withdraw into Gajiram town and adjoining bushes.

The following day, troops ambushed terrorists near Benisheikh, forcing them to flee.

On September 21st, 2026, troops ambushed a group of terrorists in Azare village in Gujba LGA of Yobe State, arresting four terrorists in possession of ammunition with bicycles and foodstuff.

In the most significant rescue of the period, troops intercepted and rescued 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama LGA of Borno State on 24 September 2026.

Similarly, Maj.-Gen. Onoja revealed that in the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA supported by the Air Component sustained large-scale operations against terrorism and kidnapping in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States.

In a major success, a Nigerian Air Force jet intercepted terrorists moving with a large number of kidnapped victims within the Bazama area of Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State.

The jet carried out maneuvers to the terrorists’ movement, thereby enabling over 60 kidnapped victims to escape their captors.

On the ground, troops rescued the abducted victims in a series of operations, including three victims along the Dandume-Damari Road in Katsina State on September 17, 2026.

Troops further rescued three victims in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State, on September 18th, 2026 while another 17 kidnapped victims were rescued along the Isa-Kwanar Axis in Sokoto State on 20 September 2026.

Similarly, 7 kidnapped university students along the Daye-Malumfashi Road in Katsina State were rescued on September 21st, 2026 while 5 victims, including the Executive Chairman of Bungudu LGA, were equally rescued at Sekpore Village in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State on 24 September 2026.

In the same vein, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD maintained vigilance against several threats in Niger State.

On September 21st, 2026, troops on a fighting patrol from Dekara to Babanna detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) laid by terrorists along the Dekara-Masaka-Machan Geda-Baturen Daji Road in Borgu LGA of Niger State.

This secured the route for local commuters and reinforced troops’ presence in the area.

In the North Central geopolitical zone, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained operations against kidnapping and arms trafficking in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States.

On September 18th, 2026, troops rescued four kidnap victims along the Takum-Katsina-Ala Road in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.

On September 19th, 2026, troops raided the residence of a suspected kidnap kingpin at Bukan Sidi within Lafia metropolis of Nasarawa State.

Troops arrested the suspect and discovered a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a luxury vehicle and cash amounting to ₦406,200.00.

Maj.-Gen. Onoja explained that the preliminary investigation and analysis of the suspect’s phone revealed undeniable evidence of involvement in illegal militia related activity, adding that the suspect is currently undergoing further investigation.

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