Troops of the Nigerian Army 2 Division/Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, have successfully rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Kwara and Kogi States.
Lt.-Col.Polcarp Okoye, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations,2 Division Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday.
Okoye said the troops have sustained efforts to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements operating in Kwara and neighboring states.
He said that the coordinated operations by troops of 12 Brigade Lokoja and 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin, led to the rescue of the kidnapped persons on Friday.
According to Okoye, the victims stated that they were abducted from different locations across Kwara and Kogi States.
He said the bandits were forced to release their captives as a result of troops’ intensified offensive against them, noting that some of the victims have been with the kidnappers for over four months,
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), and Commander Sector 3 Operation FANSAN YAMA, Major General CR Nnebeife, who has been coordinating the operations ensured they were provided with necessary first aid and other relief items to assist them recover from the torture they had gone through in the hands of their abductors.
“Major General Nnebeife, further sympathized with the victims, reassuring that the Division remained committed to sustaining the ongoing onslaught against all criminal elements,” he said.
Nnebeife assured the public that there would be no hiding place for bandits and other criminals within the division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Okoye said that the rescued victims have been swiftly evacuated to a military medical facility for medical attention.
He said that most of them were physically weak and could not walk unaided due to extreme exhaustion.
Okoye, however, said the rescued victims were responding to treatment, and would be reunited with their families upon full recovery.
The GOC further appreciated the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its continuous air support throughout the operations and as well thanked other security agencies for the synergy in tackling the myriad of security challenges in the areas of operations.
The GOC commended efforts of the troops and directed the Brigades to maintain the tempo of the operations towards restoring peace and security across Kwara, Kogi, and adjoining states within 2 Division AOR.(NAN)
Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), says the security situation in the region has improved significantly following sustained counter-terrorism operations and renewed synergy among security agencies.
He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday in Maiduguri.
Abubakar said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) maintained the operational initiative across the theatre, denying terrorists the freedom of movements and access to logistics that once fueled their campaigns of terror.
He said the lingering insecurity in North-East was not an isolated phenomenon rather closely linked to broader regional and global developments, including instability in the Sahel, the Middle East, and the Russia–Ukraine war.
“Since November last year, we have observed an increase in the use of armed drones and radio-controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by the terrorists. These trends are direct consequences of global technological proliferation linked to conflicts elsewhere.
“However, our forces continue to retain the initiative. The goal of the armed forces remains to flush out the terrorists from their remaining strongholds in Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, the Tumbuns and the Lake Chad Islands (LCI),” he said.
Abubakar highlighted that coordinated operations aimed at achieving this strategic objective was yielding remarkable results.
He said, “in the last two months alone, about 26 key terrorist commanders have been neutralised, with substantial recoveries of arms, ammunition and vehicles. Many insurgent camps have been cleared and destroyed, forcing remnants of the groups into isolated pockets.
“Socio-economic activities have resumed in most areas previously under terrorist influence. Markets have reopened, schools are functioning, and roads that were once unsafe now experience daily movement of goods and people. That is a major milestone for us as a nation.”
The commander said sustained pressure by the Nigerian Army troops had restored confidence among the citizens, leading to increased voluntary returns to ancestral homes under the Borno State Government’s resettlement framework.
While highlighting some of the key achievements of the operations, Abubakar described the strangulation of the terrorists’ logistics strategy as a turning point in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“By cutting off their supply chains, we have effectively crippled their capacity to sustain prolonged engagements. Several IED-making factories have been discovered and destroyed, and we have recorded tremendous successes in intercepting their logistics convoys,” he said.
Abubakar cited the July 2025 operation in Dikwa, where troops recovered over 50 lethal Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), as an example of how intelligence-led missions disrupted enemy capabilities.
He said the troops neutralised more than 257 terrorists in coordinated ground and air offensives, with many others surrendered along with their families between July and September, 2025.
“The terrorists’ employment of drones has also been curtailed through the deployment of advanced anti-drone technology and improved air dominance made possible by the unwavering support of the Military High Command.
“Recoveries of weapons have increased significantly, and our sustained offensive operations have continued to shrink the battle space for the terrorists,” he said.
Reacting to reports of renewed attacks in some border communities around Kirawa, Abubakar said the incidents were desperate attempts by the terrorists to create fear and attract attention.
“Most of these attacks are confined to remote border settlements, reflecting desperation rather than strength. Kirawa was previously under the security framework of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), but we have now made adequate deployments to strengthen control and forestall further incursions,” Abubakar said.
To stem the attacks, Abubakar said the military command had deployed additional troops and logistics assets to the Kirawa axis, including quick response teams, armoured vehicles and surveillance units to ensure rapid response to any threat.
“OPHK covers about 130,000 square kilometres, so the terrain is vast. But we have improved our deployment posture and enhanced coordination with the MNJTF and local security volunteers to ensure that no area remains vulnerable. Kirawa is now fully secured with boots on ground,” he assured.
Abubakar reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces to achieve lasting peace in the region, stressing that the troops remain motivated and focused in their missions.
He urged the residents to continue cooperating with the military by providing credible intelligence as well as deny logistics support to the terrorists.
“Citizens must collaborate with the military in fishing out bad elements. This is a whole-of-society approach to asymmetric warfare. Denial of logistics and timely passage of information by communities remain crucial for our collective success.”
The commander also commended the gallantry of officers and men of the OPHK, who demonstrated courage, resilience and sacrifice in defence of the nation.
“Our troops are highly motivated and determined. The North-East is steadily regaining its stability, and we remain fully committed to consolidating these gains until peace is completely restored,” the commander said.
Some of the community leaders in the affected areas commended the Nigerian military for its swift response and decisive actions to protect the citizens.
Alhaji Bukar Modu, a community elder in Gwoza, said the increased military presence in Kirawa and adjourning communities had restored public confidence.
“Before now, we used to hear gunshots almost every week. But since the troops came in numbers, the situation changed. We now sleep peacefully and even attend markets in Pulka and Gwoza without fear,” he said.
Also, Mrs Falmata Bakura, who recently returned from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, described the soldiers’ conduct as professional and reassuring.
“Their presence alone gives us hope. We can see the soldiers patrolling day and night. Our children have resumed school and we now farm without fear,” she said.
Troops have continued to record more successes in neutralising and arresting terrorists in various operations across the country.
A credible source at Army Headquarters on Sunday told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that some kidnapped victims and cache of arms were also recovered during the operations.
According to the source, several terrorists had been killed and apprehended from July 30 to Aug. 2.
In Borno, the source said the troops of 19 Brigade Garrison engaged Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists at Kekeno in Kukawa Local Government Area (NAN), forcing the insurgents to retreat following a heavy exchange of gunfire.
He said that troops recovered 67 rounds of 7.62mm Special, 81 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm belt links, and 21 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition during the pursuit.
“Also recovered were a hand grenade and an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the Monguno–Kekeno route, which was safely detonated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team,” he said.
In Taraba, the source said a joint operation by Sector 3 of Operation WHIRL STROKE and the Department of State Services (DSS) led to the arrest of a suspected gunrunner in Wukari.
According to him, items recovered included 362 rounds of 7.62mm Special, one round of 7.62mm NATO, a motorcycle, three mobile phones, and ₦842,100 in cash.
He added that troops of 63 Brigade Garrison, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police, rescued three kidnapped victims comprising two female students and an adult male around Otulu Forest in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta.
He said that one kidnapper was neutralised during the operation as well as recovery of one AK-47 magazine with 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, five mobile phones, four school bags, and ₦3.6 million in cash.
According to him, the rescued victims were taken for medical care.
“In another operation, troops of 323 Artillery Regiment in Ondo State arrested a suspected criminal along the Ikare-Ekiti Road.
“The suspect was found in possession of a dane gun, machete, and a black mask and has since been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
“Similarly, in Ughelli South of Delta, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, working with Tantita Security Operatives, arrested a suspected illegal oil bunkering.
“The suspect was found with three sacks of illegally refined petroleum products. The arrest and materials were processed in accordance with Operation DELTA SAFE protocols,” he added.
The military source states that the coordinated operations underscored the Nigerian army’s resolve to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and restore peace across the country.
The Nigerian Army has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media purportedly showing the recent arrest of a foreign arms dealer, clarifying that the footage in question was outdated and misleading.
The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, gave the clarification in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Anele confirmed that the video portrays the arrest of one Shehu Ali Kachalla, a 30-year-old Nigerien national who was apprehended over three years ago by the Police Command in Zamfara on May 14, 2021.
She stated that the suspect was nabbed in a joint intelligence-led operation involving operatives of the Federal Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to her, the suspect confessed to have illegally supplied over 450 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition to criminal elements across Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger States.
She added that “the resurgence of the old video on social media is therefore, at best, aimed at misinforming the public, while undermining the ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The Nigerian Army maintains zero-tolerance policy for unprofessional conducts, and where there are proven cases of such involving its personnel, appropriate disciplinary actions are always taken in line with the Armed Forces Act and other extant military regulations.
“While the suspect in the 2021 case alleged collusion by unnamed security personnel, no Nigerian Army personnel was indicted or arrested in connection with the matter.”
Anele, therefore, urged the public to disregard the recirculated video as outdated and misleading.
She advised content creators and social media influencers to verify the authenticity and date of materials before sharing same to avoid unnecessary panic or confusion.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its constitutional mandate to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We shall continue to collaborate with sister security agencies and communities in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality threatening peace and stability in our country,” she stressed.
