Troops rescue 42 kidnapped victims, kill 8 terrorists, arrest 18 

Vanguard News | 18-07-2026 08:55am |

By Kingsley Omonobi Troops of the Nigerian military, in coordination with other security agencies, have rescued 42 kidnapped victims, neutralised 8 terrorists and arrested 28 others during several encounters at the theatres of operation in the past one week. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, while making this known at the weekend, disclosed that troops also discovered and dismantled 2 Illegal crude oil refining sites in the Niger Delta. Detailing the offensives, Onoja said, “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai on 10 July 2026 took custody of four family members of terrorists who surrendered to troops in Gwoza LGA, Borno State, having escaped from Kunde near the Mandara Mountains. “On the same date, troops arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier named Mohammed Goni at the Molai entrance gate in Jere LGA of Borno State. “On 11 July 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator named Janyu Alhaji Mamman in Monguno town, Monguno LGA of Borno State, following the confessions of a suspect in custody of own troops. “Between 12 – 13 July 2026, a total of six family members of terrorists surrendered to troops deployed in Pulka, Gwoza and along Gwoza-Limankara road. “Furthermore, on 13 July 2026, troops intercepted a suspected terrorist logistics supplier at a checkpoint along the Mandaragirau-Biu road in Biu LGA of Borno State. “Troops also arrested a suspected foreign spy, Abubakar Mohammed Zen, at Mallam Fatori in Abadam LGA of Borno State, who claimed to be a citizen of the Niger Republic. “On 15 July 2026, troops intercepted two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers on Kauji Road in Damboa LGA of Borno State. “Also, on 15 July 2026, troops arrested a suspected logistics supplier named Ali Umar in Gubio town, Gubio LGA of Borno State. The suspect confessed to supplying terrorists with petroleum products. “On 10 July 2026, troops countered terrorists’ infiltration attempts into Muna Garage, Shuwari village and the Ajilari axis in Jere LGA of Borno State; a follow-up exploitation on the same day led to the discovery of one terrorist’s corpse. “The same day, troops rescued a kidnap victim named Usman Hassan in Kukawa and reunited him with his family. The victim had been abducted in Bauchi State in April 2026. “Another kidnap victim named Aisha Mohammed was also rescued in the same circumstance, while on 11 July 2026, troops rescued 2 civilians around Armuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA of Borno State and handed them to the Ngoshe community head. “On 15 July 2026, troops rescued four women and five children near Armuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. All the rescued victims were treated for minor injuries by the military medical teams before being handed over to the Ngoshe community head. “In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma on 11 July 2026, intercepted a suspected terrorists’ collaborator transiting from Dunfami village to Birnin Magaji LGA, Zamfara State. ‘On 12 July 2026, troops arrested a terrorist collaborator at Sakajiki village in Kaura Namoda LGA, Zamfara State and recovered one motorcycle in his possession. “On 13 July 2026, troops countered a terrorist attack at Mokurata village in Danko Wasagu LGA, Kebbi State and neutralised two terrorists. “On 14 July 2026, troops engaged terrorists who had infiltrated Bukkuyum town, Zamfara State and neutralised one terrorist. Same day, troops rescued eight civilian hostages and recovered two vehicles following an attack on commuters at Ungwan Rogo village in Kaura Namoda LGA, Zamfara State. “They also rescued five abducted victims from a terrorists’ camp near Tungan Kudaduku village in Anka LGA, Zamfara State. “On 15 July 2026, troops rescued Mahadi Haruna, who had been abducted from his father’s farm at Barza village in Zurmi LGA, Zamfara State, and reunited him with his family unhurt. “In the North Central, troops of Operation Savanna Shield on 15 July 2026 on routine night patrol were alerted to a kidnap incident at Agwan Tomato in Tafa LGA, Niger State, where two victims had been kidnapped. Troops immediately pursued the assailants and rescued the two kidnap victims. “On 16 July 2026, the Kwara State Forest Guards Station in Isin LGA of Kwara State received credible intelligence that suspected terrorists were observed at the outskirts of Owa-Onire community in Isin LGA. Forest Guard operatives launched a coordinated attack, rescuing two children resident in Oke Oba village and neutralising one terrorist; one AK-47 rifle, ten magazines and one Dane gun were recovered. “The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families, while the recovered equipment has been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS). “Troops of Operation Enduring Peace on 13 July 2026 intercepted a vehicle suspected to be conveying arms at Samaru ch

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