By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) rescued 363 victims and arrested scores of terrorists, informants, logistics suppliers and other criminal suspects in one week during operations nationwide.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made this known on Friday in Abuja, while providing weekly updates on ongoing military operations.

Onoja said the operations also resulted in the neutralisation of terrorists, recovery of arms and ammunition, disruption of logistics networks and dismantling of illegal oil refining facilities.

In the North East, he said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 35 victims, including women and children, while arresting suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers during clearance and interdiction operations.

Onoja said the troops on July 31, rescued 31 persons after foiling an attempted abduction along the Buratai-Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

The victims, according to him, comprise of 22 adult males, five adult females and four children, who were rescued after troops pursued fleeing terrorists towards Mangari-Dora.

“Troops also rescued two women and two children on Aug. 1, after discovering them at a terrorist enclave near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area.

“The four victims had reportedly been held captive since the 2023 farming season before their recovery and subsequent handover to the community leadership.

“Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, several family members of suspected terrorists surrendered to troops in Gwoza, Konduga and Bama Local Government Areas.

“20 other suspected terrorists surrendered to troops at Kwuari in Konduga, while troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and recovered foodstuffs destined for terrorist elements,” he said.

Onoja further disclosed that troops also rescued 18-year-old Blessing Tuggur, who was abducted in November 2025 at Dogoba Kopre axis in Askira Uba, Borno.

In the North West, he said the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, apprehended 21 persons attempting to cross into Birnin Kebbi, with five subsequently identified as terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services.

According to him, four other suspects were arrested at Darusa Village Market in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto, where six rustled cattle, mobile phones and N165,000 were recovered.

Onoja said the Air Component of the operation also conducted a precision strike on terrorists gathered with about 15 motorcycles at Kampani Bobi and Beri Settlement in Mariga, Niger.

“In the North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops rescued nine kidnapped victims and arrested suspected criminals, including a suspected gun runner.

“Seven victims abducted along the Wukari-Zaki-Biam Road were rescued in Ukum, Benue, while two others were rescued during a separate kidnap incident at Oke Ere in Yagba West, Kogi.

“Troops also arrested suspected associates of wanted terrorist leader, Mathew, popularly known as “Full Fire”, after destroying his hideout at Sabongida Leke in Ukum,” he added.

The defence spokesman said the troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded the largest single rescue operation during the period, freeing 308 abducted persons in Kainji Lake National Park, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger.

He said the victims comprised 163 indigenes of Woro in Kwara State and 145 persons from Niger State, with women and children constituting the majority.

According to him, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant in Nuku community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara, during the ongoing operations.

In the South South, Onoja said the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued 11 kidnapped victims along the Lagos-Benin Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo.

He added that the troops also sustained operations against crude oil theft, dismantling illegal refining sites and recovering large quantities of suspected stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.

“In the South East, Operation UDO KA troops arrested several suspects linked to an ambush on soldiers and recovered weapons and ammunition from camps in Rivers, Delta and Imo.

“The operation also led to the arrest of five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra following an attack on Fulani herders in Enugu.

“Troops recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device during follow-up operations,” he said.

The defence spokesman said the operations demonstrated the Armed Forces’ sustained commitment to rescuing victims, disrupting criminal networks and denying terrorists freedom of action.

He added that the military would sustain collaboration with other security agencies, local security groups and communities to enhance intelligence gathering and improve security nationwide.

According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their discipline and commitment, urging Nigerians to continue providing useful information to security agencies.

“He also assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations until peace and stability were fully restored across the country,” he added. (NAN)

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