DHQ: Troops Rescue 70 Abducted Victims in One Week, Recover N10 Million Ransom

*NAF spends nearly N18bn on Jet A-1 fuel in 10 months to support national security 

Linus Aleke in Abuja 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), deployed across all theatres of operations nationwide, have rescued 70 abducted victims and recovered N10 million in suspected ransom payments within one week of ongoing security operations.

The development highlighted the efforts of security personnel to dismantle criminal networks, rescue kidnapped victims and disrupt the activities of armed groups, in compliance with the presidential directive to the military and other security agencies in Abuja.

In his weekly update on the operational activities of troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the ongoing operations underscored the continued focus on tackling kidnapping, recovering ransom payments and restoring security in affected communities.

Onoja said the AFN had sustained the momentum of operations across the country’s various geopolitical zones, adding that consistent efforts had been made to deny terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners and other criminal elements freedom of action. 

He revealed that the operations covered the period from 15 to 22 October 2026.

“In the course of the week, troops rescued 70 abducted and kidnapped victims, including 27 villagers freed at Gamji in Katsina State and 29 farmers rescued in Mariga, Niger State. Troops also recovered N10 million suspected to be ransom payment in Kano State.

“Additionally, troops arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin in Mokwa, Niger State, as well as five members of the syndicate responsible for abducting prospective corps members in Imo State.

Turning to operations in the North-East geopolitical zone, he said troops had sustained offensive operations against terrorists across Borno and Yobe States, consolidating the gains of recent engagements. 

He added that, following the terrorist attack on troops’ location at Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, troops conducted clearance operations from 16 to 18 October 2026.

He said, “The operations led to the capture of eight AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 300 rounds of PKT ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenade bombs and chargers, a handheld radio and a motorcycle.

“On 18 October 2026, troops intercepted a resident of Monguno LGA who had escaped after being kidnapped alongside 11 others around Minati in Kukawa LGA on 17 October 2026. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims. 

“Similarly, on 22 October 2026, troops intercepted an abductee who had escaped from Chikide Village on the Mandara Mountains along the Guduf-Bubayagwa axis in Gwoza LGA. The individual was subsequently handed over to the IDP Camp Office in Gwoza.”

Troops also recorded sustained surrenders and arrests during the period.

“On 16 October 2026, troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and collaborators at Benisheikh Market in Kaga LGA of Borno State. 

“The following day, a suspected terrorist who claimed to have been recruited through a social media group in 2024 surrendered to local security groups at Buni Gari in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. 

“On the same day, troops arrested suspected terrorist collaborators at Kanama in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State.

“Further arrests were made in Damboa on 19 October 2026. The suspects were reportedly supplying clothing materials for terrorists’ uniforms in the Maidaji and Multe camps.

“Between 16 and 22 October 2026, a total of 19 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to, or were intercepted by, troops in Bama, Konduga, Mafa and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State. 

“They cited hunger, hardship and violent clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for fleeing the terrorist camps,” Major General Onoja said. 

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, on behalf of the AFN, commended the resilience of troops across all theatres of operations, particularly their efforts in rescuing the 27 villagers in Gamji and the 29 farmers in Mariga, recovering the ransom in Falgore Forest, and sustaining the steady flow of surrenders in the North-East.

These achievements, he said, demonstrated that terrorists were being squeezed from all sides.