Troops Rescue 63 Hostages, Kill 16 Terrorists — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops conducting internal security operations across the country killed 16 terrorists, arrested 14 suspects and logistics couriers, and rescued 63 kidnapped victims in multiple operations carried out between May 8 and 14, 2026.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that three soldiers died in action during the operations.

He said the troops also recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, and logistics supplies across the North East, North West, and North Central theatres.

In the North East, troops on May 8 ambushed a terrorist logistics convoy along the Banki-Kumshe Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, intercepting fighters crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria and forcing them to abandon supplies.

Items recovered included bicycles, fuel, medical supplies, motorcycle parts, food items, phone batteries, and other materials.

On the same day, troops repelled a multi-wave terrorist attack on their position at Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing five terrorists, including a foreign national.

Recovered weapons included a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), an AK-47 rifle, an RPG tube with bombs, and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Three soldiers were killed during the encounter.

In the North West, troops at Damari in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State arrested a suspected terrorist found with an AK-47 magazine, mobile phones, and photographs showing him in police uniform with armed associates.

Troops also killed two terrorists at the outskirts of Dikawa village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, recovering rifles, a GPMG component, a fabricated grenade, and 10 motorcycles.

The DHQ said 32 kidnapped victims — including women, men, and children — were rescued in the operation, along with livestock.

In the North Central, troops in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State rescued a senior police officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Usman Ogbobi of PMF 44 Force Headquarters, Abuja, and another victim following a kidnapping incident along the Ochumekwu-Ugbobi Road.

The Defence Headquarters said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry, discipline, and professionalism in the operations.

He also extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to defeating terrorism, separatist violence, and other forms of criminality across the country.

Oluyede urged troops to remain focused and directed commanders to sustain operational momentum while prioritising troop welfare and civilian protection.

He also called on communities to support ongoing operations by providing timely intelligence, noting that such cooperation remains critical to military successes.