Troops rescue 388 kidnap victims and arrest 31 suspected terrorists in a series of coordinated military operations conducted across Nigeria within one week, according to the Defence Headquarters. The operations, which also led to the neutralisation of 10 terrorists, were carried out across the North West, North East, North Central, South South and South East as security forces intensified efforts against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the development during a briefing in Abuja, where he provided updates on military offensives conducted between June 5 and June 11, 2026. According to him, troops operating under various military formations recorded significant successes through intelligence-driven raids, fighting patrols, rescue missions, arrests and anti-crime operations.
In Zamfara State, troops intercepted a vehicle carrying a locally fabricated pistol and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a sack of millet. The suspect, identified as Mallam Mustapha Abubakar, was arrested and later led troops to the intended recipient of the weapons.
Security forces also conducted multiple fighting patrols across Birnin Magaji and Maru Local Government Areas, resulting in the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, recovery of motorcycles, communication equipment, uniforms and other operational materials used by criminal groups. Additional operations in Kaduna and Katsina states led to the recovery of motorcycles linked to terrorist activities and the destruction of criminal hideouts.
The most significant breakthrough came in Borno State, where troops rescue 388 kidnap victims through a series of coordinated operations under Operation Hadin Kai.
Military authorities said a major multi-axis assault on terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains triggered widespread confusion among insurgents and enabled the rescue of 360 civilians, mainly women and children, who had been held captive since an attack on Ngoshe community in March.
Troops also recovered several abductees who escaped from terrorist camps in Gwoza after sustained military bombardments forced insurgents to abandon their hideouts.
The rescued victims received medical attention before being reunited with their communities. Operations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe also resulted in the arrest of terrorist informants, logistics suppliers and collaborators involved in supporting Boko Haram and ISWAP activities.
In Niger State, troops arrested several terrorist informants and recovered communication devices, motorcycles and cash linked to criminal operations.
In Plateau State, security forces rescued kidnapped passengers during separate search-and-rescue operations along major highways. Troops also arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered weapons and communication equipment. In Benue State, troops recovered firearms and ammunition abandoned by fleeing suspects, while operations in Kogi State led to the rescue of kidnap victims and the arrest of a suspected IPOB member.
Military operations in the Niger Delta targeted illegal oil bunkering and kidnapping syndicates. Troops recovered stolen petroleum products, dismantled illegal refining infrastructure and arrested kidnapping suspects in Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo states.
In the South East, security forces conducted coordinated raids against suspected IPOB and ESN networks in Abia and Enugu states. The operations led to the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a General Purpose Machine Gun, an RPG launcher, grenades and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
The Defence Headquarters said troops rescue 388 kidnap victims as part of a broader nationwide campaign aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting criminal supply chains and improving public safety. Military authorities noted that intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and community support remain critical to sustaining operational successes across the country.
The Defence Headquarters maintained that troops would continue offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal groups until security conditions improve nationwide. Officials also urged citizens to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to protect lives and property across Nigeria.
