Tag: troops

Troops of Sector 1, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have rescued six kidnapped victims during a clearance operation in the Kajuru/Kujama general area of Kaduna State.

The victims were freed on Monday, January 5, 2026, during a coordinated military operation conducted across several flashpoints in Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia, and Kagarko Local Government Areas, including border communities around Kauru.

The operation, according to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col Shuaibu Umar, was part of sustained efforts to restrict the freedom of action of violent extremists and criminal elements operating within the Joint Operations Area of Sector 1, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

He said troops of Sub-Sector 5, who were already carrying out clearance operations in the Kujeni general area, swiftly responded to a distress alert on the activities of suspected bandits around the Kasso adjoining hills.

Upon arrival at the location, the troops made contact with the criminals and engaged them with effective suppressive fire, forcing the suspects to flee in disarray into the surrounding forest.

The troops immediately exploited the area, leading to the successful rescue of six kidnapped victims, who were found unharmed.

Read Also: Troops neutralise three bandits in Katsina village, recover motorcycles, arms

The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to representatives of Kajuru Local Government Area and the Kajuru Emirate Council for onward reunification with their families.

Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 OPFY, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Wase, charged them to remain on maximum alert and sustain the aggressive operational tempo to deny criminal elements any freedom of action within the area.

Security forces have recorded a major operational success in Karaduwa village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, dealing a significant blow to criminal elements terrorising the area.

The Nation reports that troops, in a swift and coordinated operation, engaged armed bandits in a fierce gun battle, killing three of them, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds. 

One suspect was arrested alive and is currently providing useful information to security agencies as investigations continue.

Read Also: NAF sustains airstrikes, cripples terrorists in Northeast, Northwest

The operation also led to the recovery of eight motorcycles and assorted weapons believed to have been used by the gang to carry out attacks on rural communities and evade security patrols.

Findings by The Nation revealed that residents of Karaduwa and neighbouring villages welcomed the army-led operation, describing it as a long-awaited relief and a clear indication that security forces are tightening the net around criminal networks operating across Katsina State.

Military sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the success underscores renewed intelligence-driven operations and sustained patrols aimed at dismantling bandit hideouts, restricting their movement, and restoring public confidence.

“This operation sends a strong message that there will be no safe haven for criminals. Follow-up operations are ongoing to track fleeing suspects and clear surrounding forests,” one of the sources said.

The latest development is considered a significant setback for banditry in Matazu LGA and reinforces the resolve of security forces to reclaim troubled areas across Katsina State.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recovered a large cache of high-calibre ammunition in the Bulumkutu Railway area of Maiduguri, Borno State.

The recovered items include 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, some live 12.7mm rounds, and power banks concealed in a drainage channel. 

The operation followed a cordon-and-search exercise based on actionable intelligence aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation HADIN KAI in a statement said , the recovery underscores the importance of intelligence-led operations and community cooperation in preventing potential threats.

Read Also: Military uncovers mastermind of recent suicide attacks in North East

Lt. Col. Uba explained that the operation was done alongside  troops and Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams who  secured the area and are working to drain the channel to determine if there are additional dangerous items.

He noted that the operation is part of sustained efforts to dominate the general area, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure resident safety. The security situation remains calm, with troops maintaining vigilance.

The statement urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious items or movements to security agencies, as collective responsibility is vital to sustaining peace and security in the North-East.

 The Nigerian Army troops conducting ongoing anti-kidnapping operations in Kogi State have rescued five abducted victims and recovered decomposing bodies during a clearance operation in Lokoja Local Government Area.

A credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the troops, drawn from Obajana and Kabba patrol bases, projected a fighting patrol to Ankomi village in the Adankolo general area of Lokoja Local Government Area, following credible intelligence.

The source said the patrol discovered that the village, previously occupied by bandits, had been destroyed and abandoned.

“Troops extended the operation to the river line where three women and two children were intercepted. Preliminary debriefing confirmed they were victims of the Ayetoro Kiri kidnap incident,” the source said.

Read Also: Troops foil bandits’ attack, kill five in Plateau

“Troops further exploited the area and discovered two decomposing bodies suspected to be those of abducted persons. One corpse was evacuated, while efforts were ongoing to recover the remaining remains.

“The rescued victims are currently receiving medical treatment at Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, while the deceased woman has been deposited at St. Joseph Mortuary in Kabba, Kogi,” he said.

The source added that debriefing of the rescued victims was ongoing to support efforts to rescue other abductees, noting that the general security situation in the area was calm but unpredictable.

According to him, troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory, and operations to rescue remaining victims are ongoing.

(NAN) 

• …arrest 324 criminals, rescue 64 kidnap victims in South East

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, a military campaign against oil theft and bunkering in the Niger Delta, recovered stolen crude and petroleum products valued at ₦8,918,647,206.00 in 2025.

The Director Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja revealed this during end-of-year media briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, on Wednesday.

He said troops discovered and destroyed 503 illegal refining sites and arrested 778 oil thieves and other criminals and rescued 53 kidnap victims.

The breakdown of recovery, according to the Defence spokesperson, are: 16, 623,542) litres of stolen crude, 1,255,674) litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 407,734 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,508,823 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

General Onoja said that troops of Operation UDO KA in the North East neutralized scores of terrorists, arrested 324 suspected criminals, and rescued more than 64 kidnapping victims.

According to the Defence spokesperson, predominant security threats in the South East Zone remain the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN). 

“Crimes and other criminal activities have significantly decreased, following troops’ intensified operations across the South Eastern States, as well as recent court rulings against their leaders: Simon Ekpa, who was jailed by the Government of the Republic of Finland, and 

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja. These developments have substantially degraded the groups’ capabilities,” he said. 

Troops of the Joint Task Force Faruruwa have rescued an abducted person following a successful security operation along the Kano–Katsina border in the early hours of Sunday.

Rabiu Halilu, 38, was rescued and treated by the troops.

The army told The Nation that Halilu sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during captivity and was promptly evacuated to the JTF Faruruwa Medical Centre, where he was treated.

During the operation, the troops also recovered three motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing bandits and a number of cattle believed to have been rustled by the bandits.

Some of the motorcycles recovered were stained with blood, the army said.

Soldiers operating around Yankwada, acting on a credible tip-off about the movement of armed bandits from Daurawa, Kira, Katsina State, advancing towards the Kano axis were engaged in a fierce gunfight.

Read Also: Group urges Tinubu to prosecute Gumi over terror-related comments

Spokesman for 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Kano, Maj. Zubair Babatunde, said the troops got knowledge of the bandits’ movement at about 1:00 am, Saturday night. 

“Then the troops operating from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Yankwada swiftly mobilised a fighting patrol to the fringes of the Kano–Katsina border to intercept the suspected bandits.

“On arrival at Ungwan Dogo/Ungwan Tudu, the troops made contact with the armed bandits and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

“The bandits were overpowered and forced to withdraw in disarray towards Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“During the encounter, one kidnap victim, identified as 38-year-old Rabiu Alhaji Halilu, was rescued by the troops.

“The troops remain on high alert, intensifying patrols in the area to prevent further criminal activities and ensure sustained security in border communities,” Babatunde said.