Over 1,000 terrorists killed, 777 kidnap victims rescued in two months — Official

Military forces in Nigeria have conducted extensive operations across multiple regions, resulting in the rescue of 43 kidnapped individuals, the neutralisation of 26 terrorists, and the arrest of 15 suspects in the past week. These actions took place amid broader military campaigns aimed at countering terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminal activity. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, confirmed these developments on Friday, highlighting the military's efforts in both the North-West and North-East regions of the country. In the North-West, troops participating in Operation Fansan Yamma rescued several abducted persons. On August 22, six victims were freed along the Dandume-Sheme Road in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State. Authorities recovered N800,000 allegedly collected from the captives. The following day, six victims were rescued at Gadan Manya village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, with three suffering minor injuries. On August 24, three abducted children were found in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State and reunited with their families. On August 25, 14 abducted persons were rescued at Magazu village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, with one sustaining gunshot injuries. The next day, two female captives were rescued in Hayin Babangida, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, though a male farmer abducted in the same incident was found dead from gunshot wounds. In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai intercepted eight abducted persons, including three women and five children, near Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of Borno State on August 22. Three minors who had escaped from terrorist enclaves near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza were also rescued the same day. Between August 23 and 27, troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, spies, and fighters in Biu, Guzamala, and Damboa LGAs of Borno State, as well as Michika LGA of Adamawa State. On August 27, troops repelled an attempted terrorist infiltration along the Gulumba Gana axis in Dikwa LGA of Borno State, neutralising one terrorist while two others escaped with gunshot wounds. All rescued persons were handed over to camp officials and community leaders for further care. During a clearance operation at Kopre Mountain in Hong LGA of Adamawa State between August 26 and 27, troops neutralised 21 terrorists and destroyed their camp. This operation yielded six AK-47 rifles, 23 magazines, and 586 rounds of ammunition. The military also recorded several surrenders and arrests of suspected terrorists and their collaborators. Between August 22 and 25, a terrorist leader, several fighters, and their family members surrendered to troops at Kumburi, Bula Daloye, and New Abaram Resettlement Village in Bama LGA of Borno State. The military stated that the surrendering terrorists cited sustained military pressure and internal clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for their decision. According to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), troops killed 1,487 terrorists and insurgents, rescued 777 kidnap victims, and arrested 354 suspects during nationwide military operations conducted between July and August. The Defence spokesperson, Samaila Uba, disclosed this on Tuesday during a security briefing at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). The operations were conducted in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo, and Kaduna states, among others. The coordinated offensives combined land, air, and maritime assets in clearance operations, intelligence-led raids, rescue missions, and targeted arrests against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, arms traffickers, oil thieves, and other criminal elements. The military spokesperson noted that 93 security personnel and 249 civilians were killed during the period. Troops recovered 991 firearms, 1,331 rounds of ammunition, and several improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which were safely detonated. One of the major achievements during the review period was the rescue of hundreds of kidnapped victims from terrorist enclaves. The military also reported that 309 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were neutralised, 354 suspects were arrested, and 44 IEDs were recovered during counter-terrorism operations. The operations led to the recovery of weapons, motorcycles, and livestock, while several terrorist operational bases were dismantled. Beyond combat operations, the military spokesperson mentioned that the military undertook nine dialogue and peace-building initiatives and held 15 stakeholder engagement meetings with traditional and religious leaders. Additionally, 137 press statements were issued during the period, while 13 cases of misinformation were identified and countered. The military spokesperson stated that no major border or transnational security incidents, prison breaks, or attacks on critical national infrastructure, including pipelines, railways, and highways, were recorded during the review period. The operational successes were attributed to joint military operations, inter-agency collaboration, and community support. The military urged Nigerians to continue providing timely and actionable intelligence to security agencies. The spokesperson also thanked President Bola Tinubu for providing logistical support and strategic guidance to strengthen military operations, while urging the media to support ongoing security efforts through accurate, balanced, and responsible reporting. The Defence Headquarters also reported that in August alone, troops neutralised 114 terrorists, arrested 146 suspects, and rescued 60 abducted persons during operations across the North East. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, detailed these operations on Monday in Abuja. The operations included the surrender of 201 terrorists, the recovery of weapons and ammunition, and the disruption of terrorist logistics and support networks. Troops conducted intelligence-led operations to dismantle terrorist support structures and disrupt their access to weapons, supplies, and information. Several arrests were made, including suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, informants, and collaborators. Clearance operations and engagements with terrorists resulted in the neutralisation of multiple individuals and the recovery of significant quantities of arms and ammunition.