The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian troops rescued 363 kidnapped victims and neutralised 69 terrorists during operations across the country in one week.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday 7th August 2026 while briefing journalists on military operations across the various theatres of operation.
Onoja said troops also arrested 49 suspects, while one soldier was killed in action and another sustained injuries during the period under review.
He said the operations, conducted between July 30 and August 6, also led to the destruction of three reactivated illegal refining sites and the recovery of 251,600 litres of stolen crude oil and petroleum products.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued 31 people after foiling an attempted abduction along the Buratai-Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
The troops also rescued four persons who had reportedly been held at a terrorist enclave since the 2023 farming season and apprehended several suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers.
In another operation, troops rescued 18-year-old Blessing Tuggur, who was allegedly abducted in November 2025 at the Dogoba Kopre axis of Askira-Uba LGA, Borno State.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested 21 persons attempting to cross from Kaduna State into Birnin Kebbi. Five of those arrested were identified as suspected terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services.
The military also reported a major air operation in Mariga LGA of Niger State, where suspected terrorists preparing for hostile activities were targeted.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued seven kidnapping victims in Ukum LGA of Benue State and destroyed a hideout allegedly linked to a wanted terrorist leader.
Troops also intercepted two women in Doma LGA of Nasarawa State and recovered 10 AK-47 magazines containing 551 rounds of ammunition.
The military recorded its biggest rescue operation of the week in Kainji Lake National Park, Borgu LGA of Niger State, where 308 abducted persons, mainly women and children, were rescued.
According to the Defence Headquarters, 163 of the victims were from Woro village in Kwara State, while 145 were from Niger State.
In Kogi State, troops foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Lokoja-Okene Road and engaged suspected kidnappers in Yagba West LGA, rescuing two victims while efforts continued to locate two others.
In the Niger Delta, troops rescued 11 kidnapping victims along the Lagos-Benin Road in Edo State and dismantled three illegal refining sites in Rivers State.
The military said about 251,600 litres of stolen crude oil and petroleum products were recovered during operations against oil theft.
In the South-East, troops arrested several suspects linked to an earlier ambush on military personnel and recovered weapons and ammunition from suspected militant camps in Delta and Imo states.
Troops also foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Nsukka-Obollo Road in Udenu LGA of Enugu State.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops and other security agencies for their continued collaboration in combating terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
He urged Nigerians to continue providing useful information to security agencies to strengthen ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability across the country.
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