Troops Neutralise Terrorists, Rescue Hostages in Nationwide Raids
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Troops Neutralise Terrorists, Rescue Hostages in Nationwide Raids
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Defence Headquarters on Friday said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria eliminated several terrorist commanders in airstrikes on Sambisa Forest and recorded major operational gains across the country between February 28 and March 6, 2026.
The military said the operations led to the killing of scores of terrorists, arrest of dozens of suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims and destruction of illegal oil refining sites in the Niger Delta.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement while giving an update on ongoing military operations nationwide.
According to Onoja, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out precision strikes on terrorist enclaves in the Sambisa Forest, killing top insurgent leaders identified as Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago and Ba Alayi Benbem, alongside another fighter, Hussaini Ubaida.
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He added that intelligence reports indicated that more than 18 terrorist ring leaders and about 42 fighters were killed during the coordinated air and ground operations.
Onoja said troops operating in the North-East also repelled attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP fighters in Borno State, neutralising several terrorists and recovering arms, ammunition, armed drones and materials used for manufacturing improvised explosive devices.
“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai also arrested 20 suspected terrorist collaborators, facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and rescued 24 kidnapped victims during the period under review,” he said.
In the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma intensified operations against terrorists in Zamfara and Kaduna states, neutralising several fighters, arresting eight suspects and rescuing five hostages.
The military spokesman said troops also intercepted weapons and over 500 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag of rice during a stop-and-search operation.
In the North-Central region, troops of Operation Savannah Shield killed over 17 terrorists during an encounter in Roguwa Forest in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State following credible intelligence from local communities.
He added that troops also intercepted a suspicious vehicle along the Eruku-Egbe road in Kwara State and recovered eight bags of ammonium chloride, a chemical substance used in the production of improvised explosive devices.
Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested 12 suspected terrorists in Lokoja, Kogi State, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, mobile phones and N645,000.
According to Onoja, analysis of the suspects’ mobile phones revealed suspicious contacts linked to known terrorist communication patterns.
In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed four illegal refining sites while arresting seven suspected oil thieves.
The military said about 50,970 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products were recovered during separate operations in Rivers and Abia states.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka arrested five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, during operations in Imo, Abia and Cross River states.
Onoja said troops also recovered arms, foreign currency and other materials from a building believed to be used as an administrative office by the group.
He added that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and sacrifice, assuring Nigerians that the military would sustain operations to eliminate security threats across the country.
The Defence Headquarters also urged citizens to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
