Troops Arrest 147, Rescue 39 Hostages

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops on internal operations arrested 147 suspected terrorists and other criminals in one week of operations.

The director of Defence Media Operations Major General Markus Kangye disclosed this while briefing journalists yesterday.

He said the troops rescued 39 kidnap hostages and foiled oil theft worth N19,750,000.

Giving a breakdown, he said troops in the North East arrested 26 terrorist collaborators, informants and terrorist sympathisers and rescued three hostages between 15-22nd September 2025.

Logistics items recovered include a large quantity of fabrics, vehicles, motorcycles and IED marking materials, adding that the items are in the troops‘ custody, while interrogation is ongoing.

Also in the North West, he said troops arrested nine terrorists, including a notorious terrorist identified as Mallam Abubakar Ahmadu, who was apprehended in Paiko LGA of Niger State.

Relatedly, in the North Central, he said troops rescued 16 kidnap hostages and arrested 71 suspected terrorists/kidnappers.

Among those arrested is a kidnap kingpin identified as Saawuan Wuaiyolna, a member of a notorious syndicate who is on the wanted list.

Meanwhile, in the South-South, troops discovered and destroyed 16 illegal refining sites, 14 crude oil cooking ovens, seven dugout pits, 11 boats and eight storage tanks.

According to Kangye, the troops also arrested 19 suspected oil thieves and nine other criminals.

Also in the South East, troops arrested six suspected terrorists and rescued three hostages.