The Nigerian military has rescued 119 abducted persons and neutralised several suspected terrorists during security operations across different parts of the country between November 6 and 12, 2026.
The operations, which covered the North East, North West, North Central and South East regions, also led to the arrest of suspected criminals, recovery of weapons and ammunition, destruction of terrorist hideouts and rescue of kidnapped victims.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, November 13.
According to the statement, troops sustained offensive operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups threatening national security.
In Borno State, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 119 civilians abducted along the Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area, on November 6.
The rescued victims comprised 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children.
The troops reportedly pursued the attackers along the Mangari-Dora Road, forcing them to abandon their captives. An improvised explosive device was also discovered in the area.
Other operations across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States led to 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 and repelled attacks at Zangular Kilba Junction in Gombi Local Government Area.
One suspected 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 reportedly surrendered with an FN rifle and seven rounds of ammunition.
Nine family members, including two women, were also handed over to Nigerian troops by the Cameroonian Defence Force at Banki.
The military said the individuals cited sustained military pressure and internal disagreements among terrorist factions as reasons for abandoning their groups.
Troops also arrested several suspected informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers in Maiduguri, Benisheikh, Monguno and other locations.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted clearance operations in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States.
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The operations led to the rescue of two kidnapped victims in Zamfara State, while three kidnapped commuters were rescued along the Kombo-Gurusu Road on November 11. However, their driver was found dead inside the vehicle.
In Katsina State, troops neutralised a suspected terrorist during an encounter with armed men travelling on motorcycles at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
An AK-47 rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones were recovered.
In Sokoto State, soldiers arrested two suspected terrorists, identified as a father and son, at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area. An AK-47 rifle was also recovered.
Meanwhile, troops operating in Bauchi and Plateau States destroyed terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The operation led to the recovery of ammunition, motorcycles, radios, mobile phones and camouflage uniforms. Two suspected terrorists were neutralised near Kukawa Village, while another was killed during an operation in Plateau State.
The Emir of Bogwas also 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.
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.
In Benue State, troops arrested a suspect with five rounds of 9mm ammunition at Abako Village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
Community leaders also handed over four firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, an FN rifle loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition and two pump-action rifles.
In Nasarawa State, two suspects allegedly linked to the abduction of a resident were arrested at Gada Biyu in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.
In Niger State, troops under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD launched an 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.
Troops also recovered six abandoned motorcycles and 10 mobile phones.
A follow-up clearance operation on November 8 led to the discovery and removal of 32 additional explosive devices along the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana routes, bringing the total number of IEDs dealt with 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 reportedly 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 and protect oil transportation routes.
Reacting to the operations, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended the troops for their commitment to restoring security across the country.
He particularly highlighted the rescue of 119 abducted civilians in Borno, clearance of terrorist camps in Kainji Lake National Park and destruction of criminal hideouts in Bauchi State.
Oluyede also wished injured personnel a speedy recovery and expressed condolences to the family of the driver killed during the kidnapping incident in Zamfara State.
He appreciated the contributions of other security agencies, local security groups and traditional institutions in supporting military operations.
The Defence Chief urged the media to maintain responsible reporting, warning against glorifying violence or publishing information capable of compromising military operations.
He also encouraged communities to provide credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains essential to tackling insecurity.
The statement was signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, on November 13, 2026.
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