Troops Rescue Abuja–Kaduna Road Kidnap Victims, Arrest Ammunition Courier
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued kidnapped victims along the Abuja–Kaduna road and arrested an ammunition courier transporting live rounds hidden inside a motorcycle fuel tank.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on military operations conducted between March 7 and March 12, 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the rescue operation was carried out by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma during an offensive patrol in the Mpape-Kuyeri forest along the border between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.
According to him, the troops engaged terrorists operating in the forest and successfully rescued victims who had been abducted from Idah and Kubwa communities.
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He added that the operation formed part of intensified military actions against terrorist networks operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.
Onoja also disclosed that troops intercepted a suspected ammunition courier identified as Mannir Adam at the Yankara border between Zamfara and Katsina states.
He said the suspect was transporting live ammunition concealed in the fuel tank of a motorcycle.
“On March 10, 2026, troops intercepted and arrested a suspected ammunition courier, Mannir Adam of Yankuzo village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“A search revealed several rounds of live ammunition hidden inside the motorcycle’s fuel tank,” he said.
The suspect was later handed over to the Zamfara State Police Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Onoja added that in another operation, troops discovered and destroyed a terrorist enclave belonging to the Lakurawa group in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State on March 8.
He also said troops conducting clearance operations in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State neutralised a terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle.
According to the military spokesman, troops later intercepted fleeing terrorists in Dagozawa village where additional rifles and communication equipment were recovered.
He further disclosed that troops in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State arrested 15 suspected logistics suppliers at illegal fuel distribution points.
The operation led to the recovery of nine motorcycles and 19 jerrycans of petrol believed to be intended for terrorist operations.
