The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced that Nigerian troops rescued more than 60 kidnapping victims and arrested 44 suspects in a series of operations carried out across the country from 18 to 24 September 2026. The briefing, delivered by Maj‑Gen Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, highlighted actions against terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other security threats.
According to Onoja, a Nigerian Air Force jet disrupted a convoy of terrorists near Bazama in the Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, forcing the militants to abandon a large number of captives. Ground forces then secured the release of victims in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, including 17 people along the Isa‑Kwanar Isa axis in Sokoto, seven university students on the Daye‑Malumfashi road in Katsina, and five individuals – among them the Executive Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara – at Sekpore village, Kaura Namoda.
In Borno State, troops intercepted 44 members of terrorist families – 13 women and 31 children – at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area, who had fled rival‑faction clashes. More than 20 fighters and family members subsequently surrendered in the Gwoza, Dikwa and Ngala local government areas, citing hardship and lack of basic necessities in the Mandara Mountains.
Security forces also made a series of arrests nationwide. In Yobe, a suspected collaborator and a spy were detained at Geidam market, while a suspected kidnapper in Gubio led troops to a cache of an AK‑47 rifle and ammunition at Ardimini village. In Sokoto, four suspects were arrested near Illela for allegedly moving rustled cattle, and in Katsina three individuals were detained for transporting N2.7 million intended for a terrorist kingpin. Operation Whirl Stroke in the North‑Central region resulted in the capture of two kidnappers on the Otukpo‑Makurdi road in Benue, a gunrunner in Kwande, and the recovery of a rifle and ammunition.
Further actions included a joint operation by troops and Forest Guards in Bauchi’s Ningi Local Government Area, where three suspected kidnappers were killed in an ambush and six victims were rescued, with weapons seized. Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State saw 11 suspects arrested in raids on suspected kidnapping syndicate hideouts in Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills, four of whom were identified by victims. In Imo State’s Orsu Local Government Area, Operation Udo Ka engaged suspected secessionist terrorists in Obibi Forest; the suspects fled, leaving behind a general‑purpose
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
