The Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued 119 abducted persons and neutralised several suspected terrorists during military operations conducted across different parts of the country between November 6 and 12, 2026.
The operations covered the North East, North West, North Central and South East regions, resulting in the arrest of suspected criminals, recovery of weapons and ammunition, destruction of terrorist hideouts and rescue of kidnapped victims.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops sustained offensive operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups threatening national security.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 119 civilians abducted by terrorists along the Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, on November 6.
The victims comprised 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children. Troops pursued the attackers along the Mangari-Dora Road, forcing them to abandon their captives. An improvised explosive device, IED, was also discovered in the area.
Other operations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States resulted in the recovery of a PKT machine gun, several AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition. Troops also rescued abductees along the Monguno-Maiduguri Road, saved three residents in Adamawa State and repelled attacks at Zangular Kilba Junction in Gombi Local Government Area. One terrorist was also neutralised along the Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Buni Gari Road in Yobe State.
The military further disclosed that four terrorist fighters and 13 members of their families surrendered at different locations in Borno State between November 6 and 8. One of the fighters surrendered with an FN rifle and seven rounds of ammunition. Nine family members, including two women, were handed over to Nigerian troops by the Cameroonian Defence Force at Banki. The surrendering individuals reportedly cited sustained military pressure and internal disagreements among terrorist factions as reasons for abandoning the groups.
Troops also intensified operations against terrorist informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers, arresting several suspects in Maiduguri, Benisheikh, Monguno and other locations. Two individuals accused of supplying provisions to terrorists were arrested in Doron Baga, while another suspect reportedly confessed to attacking motorists along the Monguno-Maiduguri Road. In Adamawa State, troops recovered 15 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit abandoned by suspected smugglers.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted clearance operations in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States. On November 7, soldiers cleared Barayazaki, Gurusu, Gwashi and Nassarawa communities, as well as surrounding forests in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, rescuing two kidnapped victims during the operation.
On November 10, troops engaged armed terrorists travelling on motorcycles at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State. One terrorist was neutralised, while an AK-47 rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones were recovered.
Another operation on November 11 along the Kombo-Gurusu Road in Zamfara State led to the rescue of three kidnapped commuters. However, the driver of their vehicle was found dead inside. In Sokoto State, troops also arrested two suspected terrorists, identified as a father and his son, at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area, recovering an AK-47 rifle.
In Bauchi and Plateau States, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE cleared terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The operation led to the destruction of terrorist structures and the recovery of ammunition, motorcycles, radios, mobile phones and camouflage uniforms. Two terrorists were also neutralised near Kukawa Village, while another was killed during a clearance operation in Plateau State.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Bogwas handed over six AK-47 rifles and six magazines to troops in Alkaleri on November 10. The weapons were reportedly surrendered by armed individuals following the military operation at Dajin Madam. Troops have continued efforts to flush out remaining armed elements from the forests.
Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops sustained operations against armed groups and kidnapping networks in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States. In Taraba, soldiers engaged suspected terrorists around Komodoro and Mashigin Kirya communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, forcing them to flee across a river into Plateau State. Five motorcycles were recovered during the operation.
In Benue State, troops arrested a suspect with five rounds of 9mm ammunition at Abako Village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. On November 11, community leaders handed over four firearms, comprising an AK-47 rifle, an FN rifle loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition and two pump-action rifles, reportedly recovered by a local security group. In Nasarawa State, troops also arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of a resident at Gada Biyu in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.
In Niger State, troops operating under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD launched a major offensive inside Kainji Lake National Park in Borgu Local Government Area. During the operation, soldiers detonated five improvised explosive devices, repelled two terrorist attacks, neutralised two suspected terrorists and arrested 11 individuals suspected of collaborating with criminal groups. Six abandoned motorcycles and 10 mobile phones were also recovered.
The clearance operation continued on November 8, with troops discovering and clearing 32 additional IEDs along the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana routes. This brought the total number of explosive devices dealt with during the operations in Kainji Lake National Park to 37.
In Oyo State, troops operating inside the Old Oyo National Park, alongside local security groups, engaged suspected terrorists and recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun. A follow-up operation led to the discovery of a suspected criminal's body and the destruction of temporary shelters believed to have been used as hideouts. In Kwara State, troops raided suspected terrorist collaborators' residences at Oke-Ode Community, recovering five Dane guns and nine cartridges.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA foiled an alleged attempt by suspected cultists to attack oil tankers at Awara Community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on November 11. The suspects fled into the forest with gunshot wounds after troops engaged them. Soldiers subsequently recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, two magazines and 36 rounds of ammunition.
The military said troops would maintain their presence around the oil-producing corridor to prevent further criminal activities, protect oil transportation routes and guarantee the safety of tanker operators.
Reacting to the operational successes, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and commitment to restoring security across the country. He particularly highlighted the rescue of 119 abducted civilians in Borno, the clearance of terrorist camps in Kainji Lake National Park and the destruction of criminal hideouts in Bauchi State.
Oluyede also wished personnel wounded during the operations a speedy recovery and expressed condolences to the family of the commuter killed during the kidnapping incident in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State. He appreciated the contributions of other security agencies, local security groups and traditional institutions, particularly the Emir of Bogwas.
The Defence Chief urged the media to maintain responsible and balanced reporting, warning against glorifying violence or publishing information that could compromise military operations. He also encouraged communities to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains essential to defeating criminal groups.
Oluyede further warned troops against complacency, urging them to remain disciplined, professional and humane in all their operations. The statement was signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, on November 13, 2026.
