47 terrorist family members surrender as troops rescue 28 abductees
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Forty-seven family members of terrorists, comprising women and children, have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Borno State amid hunger, insecurity and factional clashes within terrorist enclaves.
The development was disclosed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in a statement on Friday on the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria between August 14 and 20, 2026.
Onoja said the family members surrendered at Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area and Mafa in Mafa LGA of Borno State.
According to him, the 47 women and children were documented and handed over to relevant authorities for further action.
He added that six terrorist fighters also surrendered to troops in Kukawa LGA of the state between August 15 and 20.
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The military spokesman said the development was among several operational successes recorded by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East during the period under review.
He said troops and local security groups had on August 14 conducted clearance operations in Gwamnare Forest, Ningi LGA of Bauchi State, rescuing three kidnapped victims while five others escaped from their captors and were reunited with their families.
Onoja, however, said two victims were killed by their abductors before the intervention.
He said a follow-up engagement resulted in the neutralisation of one kidnapper, while a member of a local security group sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated for medical treatment.
The military spokesman said troops also foiled a two-pronged terrorist attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu LGA of Borno State on August 15, killing two terrorists and recovering rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other weapons.
He added that troops engaged kidnappers at Maigero Village in Song LGA of Adamawa State on the same day, forcing them to withdraw and recovering ammunition and items used to restrain victims.
Onoja further disclosed that troops rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis in Dikwa LGA of Borno State on August 17.
He said an abandoned AK-47 rifle was also recovered at Ngurusoye Village in the same LGA.
In the North-West, the military spokesman said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 28 abducted victims in separate operations across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states between August 17 and 19.
The victims were rescued from Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara State, Sabuwa and Kankara LGAs of Katsina State, and Isa LGA of Sokoto State.
Onoja said all the victims had been handed over to local authorities for reunification with their families.
He said troops also arrested a suspect conveying 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State on August 14.
The suspect was allegedly transporting the explosives to terrorists in Katsina State.
According to him, another suspect linked to the explosives supply chain was arrested in Gusau, Zamfara State, on August 15.
In the North-Central, Onoja said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims in Ofu and Dekina LGAs of Kogi State on August 14.
The victims, comprising two men, five women and six children, were abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road on August 11.
He said the victims were subsequently taken to the Palace of the Onu of Abocho for further action.
The military spokesman said troops also neutralised a terrorist at Kyado in Ukum LGA of Benue State on August 19 during an operation targeting a criminal gang.
In Kwara State, he said troops of Operation Savannah Shield killed a terrorist during a fighting patrol at Alabe Idera in Ifelodun LGA on August 18, recovering an AK-47 rifle.
He added that troops conducting a night patrol in the Latandaji area of Patigi LGA on the same day rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in nearby bushes.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their successes and urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security agencies.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the tempo of operations until peace and security were restored across the country.
