Military Rescues 610 Victims, Neutralises 324 Terrorists

In August 2026, the Armed Forces of Nigeria achieved notable operational successes, rescuing 610 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, and neutralising over 324 terrorists. Major General Michael Onoja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, reported these figures during a briefing in Abuja.

The military arrested 373 suspects linked to various crimes and saw 201 insurgents surrender. Significant operations included the rescue of 308 individuals, primarily women and children, near Kainji Lake National Park on August 5, with 163 victims from Woro Community in Kwara State and 145 from Niger State.

In the North-East, Operation HADIN KAI rescued 60 victims and neutralised 114 terrorists. Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West rescued 126 victims and neutralised 190 terrorists.

In the North-Central region, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 329 victims and secured the release of Oba Moses Oyinloye Iwedunmoye I, the Onigbesi of Igbesi Kingdom. The military recovered 88 weapons and 2,077 rounds of ammunition during these operations.