By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised more than 60 terrorists and rescued at least 70 kidnapped victims across various theatres of operation during a week-long offensive against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers between October 30 and November 5, 2026.

The operations, conducted across the country’s six geopolitical zones, also resulted in the arrest of dozens of suspected terrorists, collaborators and criminal elements, the recovery of weapons and ammunition, and the surrender of several terrorist fighters and their family members.

According to a press briefing issued on November 6 by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops recorded significant successes in operations targeting terrorist strongholds, kidnapping networks and criminal logistics channels.

In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI dealt heavy blows to terrorists in Borno and Yobe States, killing 58 terrorists during separate encounters at Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and Bitta in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.

The military said 48 terrorist bodies were recovered following an attempted attack on Buni Yadi, alongside 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar and other military equipment.

At Bitta, troops recovered seven terrorist bodies after repelling another attempted infiltration, seizing four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, a PKM machine gun and a radio.

Three additional terrorist bodies were recovered around Apama and Jauro Bashir along the withdrawal route of the fleeing fighters.

The operation also recorded the surrender of 12 terrorist fighters and family members between November 2 and 4 in Bama and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State. The surrendering individuals reportedly cited sustained military pressure and disagreements between rival JAS and ISWAP factions.

Troops also arrested 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers across the theatre and rescued a female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains.

In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 18 kidnapped victims in separate operations in Kebbi State, including seven victims abandoned by fleeing terrorists following a military pursuit and four others rescued after troops responded to an ambush.

Troops also rescued seven kidnapped persons during operations around Geso and Ayan Geso in Zamfara State, while two kidnapping and cattle-rustling suspects were arrested in Kaduna State. Another suspected terrorist was apprehended at a clinic in Kagarko LGA while seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.

In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised five suspected kidnappers in separate engagements in Benue and Kogi States.

Two kidnappers were killed during an encounter around Edimogbo Forest, while three others were neutralised during an operation in Obele Forest. Troops recovered six AK-47 rifles, 19 magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition and other equipment from the operations.

The troops also rescued six civilians, including a baby, during a response to a kidnapping incident at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.

Additionally, a wanted member of the Konyo Boys bandit group was arrested in Takum LGA, Taraba State, while a terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered to troops in Kogi State with an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a radio.

Further operations led to the arrest of a suspected terrorist logistics supplier and a suspected gunrunner in Kogi and Benue States respectively.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 18 kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara States. Fifteen victims were rescued following an encounter with bandits around Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora LGA of Niger State, while three others escaped from their captors in Lema-Ndeji Forest in Kwara State.

The operation also led to the neutralisation of two Ansaru terrorists in Nanu Village, Kaiama LGA of Kwara State, and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles and ₦4.105 million, among other items.

In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued one kidnapped victim in Abia State following an attack by gunmen on a residential compound in Umunneochi LGA.

Troops also recovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges during a search operation in Anambra State.

In a separate development, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a suspected terrorist in Kanam LGA of Plateau State during a stop-and-search operation. An AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered from the suspect.

The Defence Headquarters said the week-long operations also resulted in the recovery of substantial quantities of weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, communication equipment and other logistics used by criminal groups.

However, the military disclosed that an officer, a soldier and a civilian hunter lost their lives in the course of the operations, while wounded personnel were receiving attention.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their courage, resilience and sacrifices, while appreciating the contributions of other security agencies.

He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to strengthen cooperation with security agencies by providing credible intelligence on suspicious movements and activities.

The CDS also called on citizens to deny criminal groups access to logistics and other forms of support, avoid mob action and refrain from spreading misinformation and disinformation.

The Armed Forces reiterated their determination to sustain ongoing offensive operations until lasting peace, security and stability are restored across the country.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded 7,156 road traffic crashes, resulting in 3,445 deaths and 22,292 injuries across Nigeria between January and September 2026.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, represented by the Jigawa Sector Commander, Usman Masa’udu-Matazu, disclosed this on Monday at a press briefing in Dutse to commemorate the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims.

The 2026 commemoration is themed “A Light That Unites Us”, while the decade-long slogan is “Remember. Support. Act”.

Mohammed described the figures as more than statistics, saying they represented lives lost, grieving families and distressed communities.

“These numbers are more than just statistics as they represent human lives, families in grief and communities in distress,” he said.

He identified excessive speed and reckless driving as major factors responsible for road crashes, stressing the need for motorists to make responsible decisions.

He also said that Nigeria recorded 10,446 road crashes in 2025, resulting in 5,289 deaths and 33,400 injuries.

According to him, the country recorded 9,570 crashes in 2024, with 5,421 deaths and 31,154 injuries, compared with 10,617 crashes, 5,081 deaths and 31,874 injuries in 2023.

The corps marshal noted that though crashes declined by 10 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023, fatalities increased by seven per cent.

He said the annual world day of remembrance for road traffic victims provided an opportunity to remember people killed or seriously injured in crashes and acknowledge the work of emergency responders.

He also said it sought to draw attention to the experiences of victims and bereaved families, advocate better support for them and promote evidence-based measures to prevent further road deaths and injuries.

Mohammed said the campaign was designed to honour victims, support survivors and their families, and inspired action towards safer roads.

“Remember, Support, Act is a campaign created to honour the memory of those who lost their lives on the roads, support victims and their families, and inspire society to build a safer and more compassionate mobility culture,” he said.

He said activities marking the commemoration would run from Monday (Yesterday) to Nov. 15, with a focus on reflection, empathy and renewed commitment to road safety.

He emphasised that safer roads depended not only on laws and systems, but also on the daily decisions of motorists and other road users.

On its operational response, he said the FRSC used data from its Road Traffic Crash Database Management System to identify high-risk locations for patrols, enforcement, surveillance and rescue operations.

He also said the corps had intensified public enlightenment campaigns through churches, mosques, schools and the media to educate road users.

He called for stronger collaboration among governments, media organisations, transport unions, civil society groups and communities to reduce road casualties.

He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to the Marrakech declaration on road safety adopted at the fourth global ministerial conference on road safety in February 2025.

According to him, the declaration recognises the importance of safe, accessible and sustainable transport systems and calls for efforts to prevent deaths and serious injuries.

Mohammed therefore urged Nigerians to support safer walking and cycling and work towards a country where no life was needlessly lost on the roads.(NAN)

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has inaugurated 353 operatives of the state-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, following the successful completion of an intensive retraining programme aimed at strengthening intelligence gathering and improving security across the state.

Mutfwang charged the operatives to uphold professionalism, impartiality and discipline in the discharge of their duties, warning that they must operate within the confines of the law and adhere strictly to the established code of conduct.

He gave the charge on Monday during the passing-out parade of the personnel at Jos Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, where he also commissioned vehicles and motorcycles to enhance the outfit’s operations.

He described the occasion as a historic milestone in Plateau’s quest for lasting peace, the governor emphasised the importance of timely information sharing and collaboration with conventional security agencies and traditional rulers.

 “Today marks a historic day on the Plateau, particularly for Operation Rainbow, as we witness the passing out of the 353 retrained personnel. I urge you all to take seriously the need for quick information passage to facilitate timely usage. Be reminded that as you are trained and retrained to enforce the law, you are not above the law,” he said.

Mutfwang clarified that Operation Rainbow was primarily an intelligence-gathering outfit established to complement conventional security agencies, rather than operate as an independent armed force.

“They are trained and retrained so that they can complement the conventional security forces, and whenever they are short of personnel, the operatives of Operation Rainbow can be handy. More so, they are locals; they know their terrain,” he stated.

He also dismissed claims that the outfit was dominated by a particular religious or ethnic group, insisting that its recruitment reflected Plateau’s diversity, with Muslims, Christians and people from different ethnic backgrounds represented.

The governor appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to the state and expressed optimism that Plateau was beginning to witness positive security developments. And also commended members of the State Security Council for their sustained efforts towards restoring peace, assuring residents that the vehicles and motorcycles commissioned were procured with state resources and would be deployed to strengthen the outfit’s daily operations.

The Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, General Nash Yakubu (Rtd), disclosed that the outfit now had over 3,000 personnel, following the addition of the 353 operatives who had completed the retraining programme. He said 11 operational camps had been established across the state, with plans to extend the outfit’s presence to all 17 local government areas.

According to him, the personnel received training in intelligence gathering, neighbourhood surveillance, early warning signals and professional discipline to enable them to identify threats and provide timely information to relevant security agencies.

Yakubu added that the outfit planned to deploy drones for surveillance to improve its monitoring capacity and strengthen security coverage across the state. He urged the newly inaugurated operatives to remain professional and disciplined, stressing that they would work in collaboration with other security agencies.

He further disclosed that the 353 personnel would be deployed to their respective local government areas to strengthen community-based intelligence gathering and help protect lives and property.