Nigerian army rescues 119 kidnapped travellers, neutralises terrorists in nationwide operations

Other operations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States resulted within the restoration of a PKT machine gun, a number of AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition. Troops additionally rescued abductees alongside the Monguno-Maiduguri Road, saved three residents in Adamawa State and repelled assaults at Zangular Kilba Junction in Gombi Local Government Area. One terrorist was additionally neutralised alongside the Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Buni Gari Road in Yobe State.

The army additional disclosed that 4 terrorist fighters and 13 members of their households surrendered at completely different areas in Borno State between November 6 and eight. One of the fighters surrendered with an FN rifle and 7 rounds of ammunition. Nine relations, together with two ladies, have been handed over to Nigerian troops by the Cameroonian Defence Force at Banki. The surrendering people reportedly cited sustained army stress and inside disagreements amongst terrorist factions as causes for abandoning the teams.

Troops additionally intensified operations in opposition to terrorist informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers, arresting a number of suspects in Maiduguri, Benisheikh, Monguno and different areas. Two people accused of supplying provisions to terrorists have been arrested in Doron Baga, whereas one other suspect reportedly confessed to attacking motorists alongside the Monguno-Maiduguri Road. In Adamawa State, troops recovered 15 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit deserted by suspected smugglers.

In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA performed clearance operations in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States. On November 7, troopers cleared Barayazaki, Gurusu, Gwashi and Nassarawa communities, in addition to surrounding forests in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, rescuing two kidnapped victims throughout the operation.

On November 10, troops engaged armed terrorists travelling on bikes at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State. One terrorist was neutralised, whereas an AK-47 rifle, 5 magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorbike and three cellphones have been recovered.

Another operation on November 11 alongside the Kombo-Gurusu Road in Zamfara State led to the rescue of three kidnapped commuters. However, the motive force of their automobile was discovered lifeless inside. In Sokoto State, troops additionally arrested two suspected terrorists, recognized as a father and his son, at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area, recovering an AK-47 rifle.

In Bauchi and Plateau States, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE cleared terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The operation led to the destruction of terrorist buildings and the restoration of ammunition, bikes, radios, cellphones and camouflage uniforms. Two terrorists have been additionally neutralised close to Kukawa Village, whereas one other was killed throughout a clearance operation in Plateau State.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Bogwas handed over six AK-47 rifles and 6 magazines to troops in Alkaleri on November 10. The weapons have been reportedly surrendered by armed people following the army operation at Dajin Madam. Troops have continued efforts to flush out remaining armed components from the forests.

Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops sustained operations in opposition to armed teams and kidnapping networks in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States. In Taraba, troopers engaged suspected terrorists round Komodoro and Mashigin Kirya communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area, forcing them to flee throughout a river into Plateau State. Five bikes have been recovered throughout the operation.

In Benue State, troops arrested a suspect with 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition at Abako Village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. On November 11, neighborhood leaders handed over 4 firearms, comprising an AK-47 rifle, an FN rifle loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition and two pump-action rifles, reportedly recovered by a neighborhood safety group. In Nasarawa State, troops additionally arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping of a resident at Gada Biyu in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.

In Niger State, troops working beneath Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD launched a significant offensive inside Kainji Lake National Park in Borgu Local Government Area. During the operation, troopers detonated 5 improvised explosive gadgets, repelled two terrorist assaults, neutralised two suspected terrorists and arrested 11 people suspected of collaborating with legal teams. Six deserted bikes and 10 cellphones have been additionally recovered.

The clearance operation continued on November 8, with troops discovering and clearing 32 further IEDs alongside the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana routes. This introduced the full variety of explosive gadgets handled throughout the operations in Kainji Lake National Park to 37.

In Oyo State, troops working contained in the Old Oyo National Park, alongside native safety teams, engaged suspected terrorists and recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty journal and a Dane gun. A follow-up operation led to the invention of a suspected legal’s physique and the destruction of non permanent shelters believed to have been used as hideouts. In Kwara State, troops raided suspected terrorist collaborators’ residences at Oke-Ode Community, recovering 5 Dane weapons and 9 cartridges.

In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA foiled an alleged try by suspected cultists to assault oil tankers at Awara Community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on November 11. The suspects 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 army stated troops would preserve their presence across the oil-producing hall to stop additional legal actions, defend oil transportation routes and assure the security of tanker operators.

Reacting to the operational successes, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, counseled troops for his or her resilience and dedication to restoring safety throughout the nation. He notably highlighted the rescue of 119 kidnapped civilians in Borno, the clearance of terrorist camps in Kainji Lake National Park and the destruction of legal hideouts in Bauchi State.

Oluyede additionally wished personnel wounded throughout the operations a speedy restoration and expressed condolences to the household of the commuter killed throughout the kidnapping incident in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State. He appreciated the contributions of different safety companies, native safety teams and conventional establishments, notably the Emir of Bogwas.

The Defence Chief urged the media to keep up accountable and balanced reporting, warning in opposition to glorifying violence or publishing info that might compromise army operations. He additionally inspired communities to offer well timed and credible intelligence to safety companies, stressing that public cooperation stays important to defeating legal teams.

Oluyede additional warned troops in opposition to complacency, urging them to stay disciplined, skilled and humane in all their operations. The assertion was signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, on November 13, 2026.