Nigerian Army highlights operational gains in rescues and counterterrorism

The Nigerian Army says its troops rescued hundreds of kidnapped people and recovered weapons across the country between July and the first week of September, as it continued operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

Among the reported successes was the rescue of 21 abducted people in Kogi State on Aug. 31. The group included 15 National Youth Service Corps members who had been abducted while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State. Troops from the Army’s 12 Brigade joined other security agencies, hunters and vigilante groups in searches around the Egume and Ochaja forest areas of Dekina Local Government Area. Eight males and 13 females were rescued.

The Army also reported the rescue of 11 kidnapped people and the arrest of 21 suspected terrorists, collaborators, logistics suppliers and drug peddlers during operations from July 21 to 22 in Borno, Zamfara and Kogi states. The operations, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, Operation FANSAN YAMMA and Operation MESA, also uncovered and destroyed improvised explosive devices.

In another joint operation around Kainji Lake National Park, security forces rescued 308 people. Troops also rescued 25 victims in Katsina and Zamfara. Weapons recovered or intercepted included an RPG launcher, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and 793 rounds of ammunition in Kaduna.

Across July and August, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies said they conducted 7,062 operations nationwide, neutralized 1,487 terrorists and insurgents, arrested 354 suspects and rescued 777 kidnapped victims. The article links the activity to Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu’s P.R.O.S.E. framework, which emphasizes operational readiness, professionalism, innovation and joint operations. Shaibu became Chief of Army Staff in October 2025.