By Our Reporter
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said troops rescued 36 abducted persons and neutralised several terrorists in fresh operations conducted across the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday while providing an update on military operations carried out between August 31 and September 3, 2026.
Onoja said troops neutralised a terrorist on September 1 after detonating an improvised explosive device along the Miyanti-Banki Junction main supply route in Bama, Borno State.
He said troops recovered a rifle, ammunition and an IED initiator following the operation.
In Yobe State, another terrorist was neutralised during an encounter at Lamusuri Crossing Point in Gujba, with troops recovering a rifle and ammunition.
The DMO director also disclosed that troops intercepted a terrorist escapee around Sabsawa, Bama, on August 31. According to him, the suspect had escaped from captivity because of hunger and hardship.
Troops also arrested a suspected logistics operative in Konduga for allegedly conveying food items to a terrorist enclave in Bama.
Onoja said a suspected former terrorist fighter who had turned informant was arrested at Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area, on September 1.
He added that 21 women and children surrendered to troops at Mafa, Dikwa, on September 2, following clashes between rival terrorist factions.
Another terrorist escapee was reportedly intercepted near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza, while troops arrested a suspected terrorist spy along the Kauwa-Kukawa Road.
Meanwhile, troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations against terrorists and kidnappers across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Onoja said troops neutralised two terrorist kingpins and wounded another during a raid on suspected terrorist hideouts in Kogo, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, on August 31.
In a related operation, troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force North West, neutralised another terrorist and recovered four motorcycles and other items during a dawn offensive in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State on September 4.
The operation, according to the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, followed credible intelligence on the presence of terrorists in the Yantumaki Forest.
Danja said troops conducted a coordinated assault on the terrorists, engaging them with firepower and forcing them to flee into surrounding bushes.
The Defence Headquarters said the latest operations formed part of ongoing efforts to degrade terrorist and kidnapping networks and restore security in affected communities.