From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, has reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining decisive military operations against separatist groups and other criminal elements undermining peace and security in the South East.

 

In a statement sent by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public relations officer 82 division, Nigerian Army, Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni said this was disclosed while addressing participants of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Course 10/2026 during their Operational Theatre Visit to Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu.

The visit, which forms a critical component of the course, commenced on 3 September and concluded on 6 September 2026. 

Major General Fadairo noted that the security situation within the Division’s Area of Responsibility remains relatively stable and firmly under control, as troops continue to degrade the operational capabilities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Eastern Security Network (ESN), and other criminal groups. He highlighted that sustained intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols, and targeted clearance missions have dismantled criminal hideouts and disrupted their activities, significantly restricting their freedom of action across the region. 

He underscored the successes recorded by troops in stabilising the South East, while stressing that continuous operational assessment, intelligence exploitation, and adaptive security responses are essential to completely eliminate residual threats. He charged the participants to leverage the knowledge and operational insights gained during the study tour to develop innovative and sustainable strategies for addressing contemporary security challenges confronting the nation. 

General Fadairo further emphasised the importance of security forces remaining proactive, intelligence-led, and resolutely focused on protecting lives and property, while denying criminal elements any opportunity to establish operational footholds. He disclosed that preparations are underway for intensified dry-season operations under Operation EASTERN SANITY II, with emphasis on maintaining operational pressure and preventing the resurgence of criminal networks. 

He reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to employ lawful and decisive measures against elements whose activities threaten national security, while maintaining close coordination with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders. 

A major highlight of the visit included tours of sectors’ Areas of Responsibilities, a visit to the National War Museum, wargaming exercises, and a series of presentations on the operational achievements and challenges of Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA.

These sessions provided participants with practical insights into the operational environment, lessons learned, and the complexities of countering asymmetric threats in the South East. They also underscored ongoing peace-building processes aimed at consolidating stability in the region.

‌‍‍‍⁠⁠‌‍⁠‍‍‌‌The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) neutralised 114 terrorists, arrested 146 suspects and rescued 60 abducted persons during operations across the North East in August.

The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.

-Gen. Michael Onoja, made this known on Monday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on military operations conducted across the country in August.

Onoja said the operations also led to the surrender of 201 terrorists, recovery of weapons and ammunition, and disruption of terrorist logistics and support networks.

He said troops sustained aggressive counter-terrorism operations across Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Bauchi, targeting terrorist fighters, logistics networks, informants and hideouts, while troops simultaneously conducted rescue operations in areas affected by terrorist activities.

Onoja said troops rescued two women and two children near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno on Aug. 1.

He said the victims had been held since the 2023 farming season before troops rescued and handed them over to the community head of Ngoshe.

“On Aug. 3, troops rescued 18-year-old Blessing Tugul, who was abducted in November 2025 around Dogobar Kopri in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno.

“The victim was given medical attention before being reunited with her family,” he said.

Onoja said troops rescued five female abductees around Amuda Bridge along the Ngoshe-Gava Road in Gwoza on Aug. 10.

He said the women had escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains before troops located and rescued them.

Onoja further disclosed that on Aug. 17, the troops rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted on the Gwoza-Cameroon axis and eight abductees comprising three women and five children around Ngoshe in Gwoza on Aug. 22.

According to him, three minors who escaped from terrorist enclaves around Amuda Bridge were also rescued by the troops.

The director said troops also sustained intelligence-led operations to dismantle terrorist support structures and disrupt their access to weapons, supplies and information.

He said two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers were arrested in Monguno, Borno, on Aug. 3 with provisions allegedly meant for terrorist camps.

According to him, another suspected logistics supplier was arrested at Gualaram Village in Magumeri on Aug. 4, while a suspected terrorist informant was arrested at Zangola in Gubio on Aug. 5.

“On Aug. 7, troops arrested two suspected logistics facilitators in Mubi and Garaha in Adamawa, while follow-up operations on Aug. 12 led to the arrest of two additional members of the same supply network.

“Between Aug. 8 and Aug. 9, troops apprehended five suspected terrorist collaborators and cattle rustlers at a checkpoint along the Mandaragirau-Sabongeri Road in Biu, Borno.

Onoja said further operations between Aug. 22 and Aug. 27 resulted in the arrest of suspected logistics suppliers, spies and fighters in Biu, Guzamala and Dambua areas of Borno.

He added that similar operations in Michika, Adamawa, also led to the arrest of suspected terrorist support operatives.

Onoja said troops on Aug. 15 repelled a two-pronged terrorist attack at Mandaragirau, neutralising two terrorists and recovering rifles, RPG bombs and other dangerous ordnance.

According to him, troops also engaged terrorists at Megerum Village in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa, forcing them to withdraw and recovering ammunition and items used to restrain abducted persons.

Onoja said sustained military pressure also contributed to a wave of surrenders by terrorists and their family members during the month.

He said 20 persons surrendered at Kuari in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4.

According to him, between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12, 19 persons comprising terrorist fighters, women, children and teenagers surrendered at locations in Bama, Mafa and Gwoza.

“Similarly, 47 terrorist family members, mostly women and children, surrendered between Aug. 16 and Aug. 20 around Amuda Bridge, Gwoza and Mafa, while another six terrorist fighters surrendered in Kukawa during the period.

Onoja said the military’s coordinated response also thwarted a major terrorist attack on Kukawa on Aug. 28.

He said troops of OPHK repelled the attack through coordinated ground and air operations, while subsequent air strikes neutralised 25 terrorists and destroyed 10 motorcycles.

According to him, the strikes followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts that tracked fleeing terrorists towards the Tunbuns-Kangarwa axis.

He said the operation further degraded the terrorists’ mobility and fighting capability.

He said the cumulative results demonstrated the Armed Forces’ resolve to sustain offensive, intelligence-led and coordinated operations against terrorism and other forms of criminality.

Onoja assured Nigerians that the military would continue to work with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect lives, communities and critical national assets. (NAN)

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies and local security groups, have rescued 21 kidnap victims in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi.

This was contained in a statement by Lt.

Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, on Monday in Abuja.

Abdullahi said the victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, were rescued on Monday during a coordinated search operation in the Egume and Ochaja forest areas.

He said the operation followed reports of the abduction of road users along the Alloma-Ejule-Itobe road axis.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops of 12 Brigade, alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilantes, mobilised from 21 Battalion.

 “The joint team subsequently conducted an extensive search of adjoining forests, leading to the successful rescue of all 21 victims.

 “However, one of the male victims sustained a gunshot wound during the incident and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

 “The rescued victims are currently in the custody of the troops, pending their handover to the appropriate authorities,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has commended the troops and personnel of the collaborating security agencies for their courage and effective cooperation.

Shaibu also commended the local hunters and vigilantes for their contribution to the successful operation.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

The COAS said sustained public cooperation remained critical to ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country. (NAN)