By Kingsley Omonobi Following sustained land, air and sea offensives against criminal elements in all theatres of operations by gallant Nigerian troops in the last one week, 69 terrorists elements were neutralised in gunfights and air interdiction, over 360 kidnapped victims rescued while 49 suspects were arrested. During operations against economic saboteurs, three reactivated illegal refinery sites were discovered and dismantled while a total of 251,600 litres of stolen crude were recovered and 12 dug-out pits for storage were destroyed. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, while making this known, noted that sadly, one soldier was killed in action while another sustained injury in action. Detailing the encounters, Onoja said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai deployed at Dutsen Kura while sustaining robust operation, on 31 July 2026, foiled terrorists’ attempt to abduct civilians along the Buratai-Kamuya Road in Biu LGA of Borno State. “Troops pursued the fleeing terrorists towards Mangari-Dora and rescued 31 persons, comprising 22 adult males, 5 adult females and 4 children. Four vehicles and one motorcycle belonging to the terrorists were also confiscated. “On the same day, a suspected terrorist informant was apprehended at Garaha Market in Hong LGA of Adamawa State. “On 1 August 2026, troops on routine clearance patrol near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA of Borno State rescued two women and two children who had been held since the 2023 farming season at a terrorist enclave. “The victims were subsequently handed over to the community head of Ngoshe. “Between 2 – 4 August 2026, several family members of suspected terrorists surrendered while some were intercepted in Gwoza, Konduga and Bama LGAs of Borno State. “Additionally, a group of 20 persons surrendered to troops at Kwuari in Konduga LGA of Borno State. “On 3 August 2026, troops arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers at Monguno LGA of Borno State, recovering assorted foodstuffs and provisions destined for terrorists in Kukawa LGA of Borno State. “Similarly, another terrorist logistics supplier was arrested at Gwalaram Village in Magumeri LGA on 4 August 2026. “In a separate operation conducted on 3 August 2026, troops rescued Miss Blessing Tuggur, an 18-year-old victim abducted in November 2025 at Dogoba Kopre axis in Askira Uba LGA of Borno State. “The victim was subsequently reunited with her family after receiving medical attention. “On the same day, a suspect was arrested at Kan Lamba village in Darazo LGA of Bauchi State, for allegedly attempting to procure firearms. “Similarly, a suspected terrorist informant was arrested at Dzangola Kilba in Hong LGA of Adamawa State, on 5 August 2026. “In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma on 2 August 2026, responded to the movement of suspected terrorists transiting through Giwa LGA of Kaduna State, from Hadeija. ‘Following a snap operation, the troops successfully intercepted and arrested 21 persons attempting to cross into Birnin Kebbi. “Upon profiling the arrested persons, five suspects were identified as terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services, while the remaining passengers were released to continue their journey. “On 6 August 2026, troops arrested four suspects at Darusa Village Market in Gudu LGA of Sokoto State. Items recovered from the arrest include six rustled cattle, mobile phones and the sum of ₦165,000 believed to be proceeds of the intended sale. “In a major air interdiction operation, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma conducted surveillance over Kampani Bobi and Beri Settlement in Mariga LGA of Niger State, on 6 August 2026. “This was followed by a precision air strike that neutralised scores of terrorists who had assembled with about 15 motorcycles in preparation for hostile activity. Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the neutralisation of the terrorists, with secondary explosions indicating the destruction of additional logistics and equipment, including explosive ordnance. “In the North Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, in sustained operations against armed criminal elements in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, apprehended a suspected gun runner, Mr Victor Idoko, at North Bank in Makurdi LGA of Benue State, on 31 July 2026. “This led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and other items at his residence. “On the same day, troops rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ukum LGA of Benue State. The victims, who are all indigenes of Tela Village in Gassol LGA of Taraba State, had been abducted along the Wukari-Zaki-Biam Road on 13 July 2026. All rescued victims have since been reunited with their families. “On 1 August 2026, troops destroyed a hideout linked to a terrorist leader named Mat
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