By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have disrupted an alleged kidnappers’ roadblock in Benue State, neutralised one suspected bandit and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations.

According to a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the operations were conducted on August 19, 2026, following credible intelligence on criminal activities in the state.

In the first operation, troops were deployed to the Jortar–Atume axis after receiving information about a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates allegedly operating an illegal checkpoint in the area.

The troops reportedly engaged the group in a firefight on arrival, during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was neutralised. Other members of the group fled, abandoning a motorcycle that was subsequently recovered by the troops.

In a separate operation in Logo Local Government Area on the same day, troops acting on credible intelligence arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.

The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel. According to the military, the suspects confessed to an alleged attempt to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh, a resident of Gou Village.

Items recovered from them included a locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.

The two suspects remain in military custody for further investigation and exploitation.

The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across its area of operation and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against criminal activities.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) rescued at least 48 abducted persons, neutralised several terrorists and arrested suspected criminals across the country between August 14 and 20, 2026, as troops intensified operations against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality.

According to a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the operations recorded successes across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East theatres.

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued three kidnapped victims from Gwamnare Forest in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, while five others escaped their captors and reunited with their families.

Troops also rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis and recovered weapons, including an abandoned AK-47 rifle.

The military said 47 family members of terrorists, comprising women and children, surrendered to troops in Borno State between August 16 and 20. Six terrorist fighters also surrendered during the period, with the military attributing the defections to hunger, insecurity and internal factional clashes within terrorist enclaves.

In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 28 abducted victims across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states. Several terrorists were also neutralised, while troops arrested suspects linked to kidnapping and the movement of explosives and supplies to terrorist groups.

The military said one suspect was arrested while transporting 180 units of explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zamfara State, allegedly destined for terrorists in Katsina State. Further operations led to the arrest of suspected terrorist informants and collaborators.

In the North Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Kogi State. Troops also neutralised suspected kidnappers and terrorists in Nasarawa and Benue states and arrested suspected arms traffickers and kidnappers.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State recovered firearms and ammunition during operations following an attack on Mwar community in Mangu Local Government Area.
In Kwara State, Operation Savannah Shield troops rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in bushes around Latandaji in Patigi Local Government Area and neutralised a terrorist in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest from a suspect in Delta State.
The military also reported the disruption of three illegal refining sites in Rivers State, where about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered from dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.

In the South East, Operation Udo Ka troops dismantled illegal bunkering operations, arrested suspected criminal elements and recovered firearms and ammunition. Troops also discovered and safely disarmed multiple improvised explosive devices in Imo State and cleared 11 IEDs during operations in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The military said its operations were complemented by civil-military cooperation initiatives. During the week under review, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State, to improve access to potable water.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their operational successes and expressed sympathy to families of civilians killed during the operations. He also wished injured security personnel a speedy recovery.

Oluyede further urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing security agencies with useful information, while assuring citizens that the military would sustain its operations until peace and stability are restored across the country.

By David Torough, Abuja

Nigerian Army Troops  recorded fresh operational gains against kidnappers, bandits and terrorists in Kogi, Plateau and Kebbi states.

The Troops  rescued nine abducted commuters, foiled an ambush and recovered weapons and other items linked to criminal groups.

In Kogi State, Troops deployed at Patrol Base Itobe rescued nine commuters abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ajaokuta–Itobe Road in Ofu Local Government Area.

The rescue followed a swift response to reports of an attack on commuters along the route.

The soldiers subsequently launched a pursuit operation, following the route taken by the fleeing kidnappers towards the outskirts of Adumu Community in Dekina Local Government Area.

The Army said the troops engaged the kidnappers in a firefight, overwhelming the criminals and forcing them to abandon their captives before fleeing into the surrounding bush, with some suspected to have sustained gunshot wounds.

Nine victims were rescued in the operation, comprising two elderly men, two elderly women, four other adult males and an infant.

The victims were evacuated to safety and later handed over to the Nigeria Police, Itobe Area Command, for further action and reunification with their families.

The Army said troops had continued the pursuit of the fleeing kidnappers, while coordinated search operations were ongoing to rescue any remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE also foiled an ambush by suspected bandits during a follow-up operation in Nwur Village, Langtang North Local Government Area.

The operation followed the arrest and interrogation of a suspected bandit, who provided intelligence on the location of a concealed weapon. Troops escorted the suspect to the area to facilitate recovery of the weapon.

However, as the soldiers approached the suspected hideout, members of the criminal group opened fire on them.

The troops responded with superior firepower, killing one of the attackers. The arrested suspect was also killed during the ensuing exchange of gunfire.

A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and two rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, which were abandoned by fleeing members of the group.

The troops have continued operations in the area to track down other members of the suspected bandit group and deny them freedom of action.

Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, ambushed members of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group who were reportedly moving towards Dandi Local Government Area to carry out an attack.

Acting on credible intelligence about the terrorists’ movement, the troops mobilised and laid a tactical ambush at a known crossing point near Uguwan Hassan village.

The troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the group to abandon its mission and retreat in disarray.

According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olayinka Osoba, troops recovered two motorcycles, mobile phones, T&T communication radios and a Nigerien identity card belonging to one of the fleeing terrorists from the Tilbiri Region of Niger Republic.

Osoba said the troops were maintaining aggressive patrols and actively pursuing the fleeing terrorists to safeguard communities in the area.

The latest operations form part of the military’s intensified campaign against kidnapping, banditry and terrorism across the country.

The Army urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to facilitate rapid responses to criminal activities.

It also reaffirmed its commitment, in collaboration with other security agencies, to protecting lives and property and restoring security in affected communities.