Troops Rescue 63 Kidnap Victims, Kill 16 Terrorists

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops on internal operations across the country killed 16 terrorists, arrested 14 terrorists/collaborators and logistics couriers while three soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty in multiple operations from May 8 to 14, 2026.

The director of defence media operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in a statement yesterday, said troops rescued 63 kidnap victims and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition within the period.

In the North East, he said troops on May 8 conducted an ambush along Banki-Kumshe road in Bama local government area of Borno State where they intercepted a terrorists’ logistics convoy crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria, forcing the insurgents to withdraw and abandon their supplies.

The troops recovered bicycles, jerry cans of fuel, surgical drips, assorted medications, motorcycle parts, phone batteries, food items and other materials.

On the same date, troops deployed at Buni Gari in Gujba local government area of Yobe State repelled a large-scale, multi-wave terrorist assault on their camp.

He said after the engagement, troops neutralised five terrorists, including one foreign national and recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), an AK-47 rifle, an RPG tube with accompanying bombs, over two thousand rounds of assorted ammunition, and cash

He, however, regretted that three soldiers paid the supreme price in the encounter.

In the North West, troops at Damari in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State on 8 May 2026, arrested a suspected terrorist in possession of an AK-47 magazine, multiple mobile phones, and photographs depicting him in police uniform alongside armed associates.

Troops also eliminated two terrorists at the outskirts of Dikawa village in Matazu LGA of Katsina State and recovered two AK-47 rifles, magazines, a GPMG component, a fabricated hand grenade, and 10 motorcycles.

“Most significantly, 32 kidnap victims, comprising 10 women, nine men and 13 children were rescued from the terrorists’ enclave, alongside 26 livestock, including 14 cows and 12 sheep,” he said.

In the North Central, troops in Apa local government area of Benue State on May 10 acting on credible intelligence of a kidnapping incident that occurred on May 9 along the Ochumekwu-Ugbobi road successfully rescued a senior police officer, ASP Usman Ogbobi of PMF 44 Force Headquarters Abuja and a second victim.

According to him, a Search and Rescue operation further recovered the victims’ vehicle, adding that both survivors and the recovered vehicle were handed over to the police at Ugbokpo Division for further action.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the gallantry, discipline, and professionalism demonstrated by troops across all active theatres of operation during the week.

According to the statement, the defence chief acknowledged the enormous sacrifices of the officers and soldiers who lay down their lives in the service of the nation, and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice.