By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria says its troops killed scores of terrorists, rescued dozens of kidnapped victims and arrested suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers during operations across the country between August 7 and 13, 2026.

The military said the operations, conducted under various joint task forces, also disrupted terrorist supply networks, recovered weapons and ammunition, and targeted crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI reported the neutralisation of terrorists in Borno and Adamawa states, the arrest of suspected logistics facilitators and collaborators, and the surrender of 19 terrorists and their associates.

Five female abductees who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains were also rescued in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military said troops also intercepted a terrorist infiltration attempt in Nganzai, killing one terrorist and recovering an assault rifle, ammunition, anti-tank bombs, a rocket-propelled grenade charger and a communication radio.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded several encounters with terrorists in Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.

The military said 18 terrorists were killed during an operation at Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. It added that two suspected foreign nationals believed to be Improvised Explosive Device experts were arrested in Zurmi, Zamfara State.

Troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, including one suspect from whom ₦5.3 million allegedly intended for terrorist associates was recovered.

In the North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued 25 kidnap victims in Kogi State in two separate operations. Sixteen victims—six men, six women and four children—were rescued along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes, while nine others were rescued along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road.

The operation also led to the arrest of five suspected associates of a wanted kidnap kingpin in Benue State and the recovery of locally fabricated rifles, motorcycles and mobile phones.

Operation ENDURING PEACE also rescued a woman abducted from Dong Village in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State after sustained pressure forced her kidnappers to abandon her.

In Niger State, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued nine male kidnap victims in Mariga Local Government Area, while troops in Kwara State arrested four suspected terrorist collaborators.

The military’s account of air operations in Niger State included a major strike against terrorists in the Sangeko and Baba-Doka areas of Mariga. It said initial reports indicated that about 120 bodies and 300 motorcycles were recovered following the August 9 air operation, although assessment of the strike was still ongoing.

The Air Component also reported another operation on August 13 in the Maburya area of Mariga, where terrorists were reportedly sighted fleeing with rustled cattle. The military said the targets were engaged, resulting in the reported neutralisation of 46 terrorists.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE rescued a kidnapped farmer in Edo State and killed one of his abductors during a covert operation. Troops also recovered ₦1.5 million reportedly intended as ransom.
Military operations in Rivers State targeted oil theft, with troops recovering about 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, discovering an illegal refining site and intercepting a speedboat carrying approximately 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. Additional operations along the Oteghele axis uncovered concealed storage facilities containing about 105,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA intensified efforts against a kidnap syndicate operating in Enugu and neighbouring states. The military said one syndicate commander was killed during an August 9 ambush, while another suspect was wounded. A subsequent arrest led troops to a forest hideout where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition.
The Defence Headquarters said the reported successes demonstrated the military’s sustained offensive against terrorism, kidnapping, criminality and economic sabotage.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops and other security agencies for their cooperation and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing operations.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting lives and property and restoring peace across the country.

From Attah Ede Makurdi

The three Socio Cultural Organizations in Benue State(Mdzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’ Idoma and Omi Ny’Igede, has called on the Federal Government to prioritize the safe return and resettlement of all the Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) to their ancestral homes before embarking on implementation of any ranching pilot scheme in the State.

The tribal group made the call against the backdrop of the federal government proposed establishment of ranches in Nigeria, using Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States as a pilot scheme.

Addressing newsmen at a press conference in Makurdi on behalf of the Ochetoha K’ Idoma and Omi Ny’Igede, the President General of Mdzough U Tiv and Chairman of Benue Socio Cultural Organizations, Air Commodore Titus Agbecha (Rtd), disclosed that Benue is currently have over 5000 people living in Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps across the State who have no home to return to, no shelter, no farms, and no livelihood.

The Mdzough U Tiv leader who was flanked by the presidents of Ochetoha K’ Idoma, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu and President of Omi Ny’Igede, Daniel respectively insisted that Federal government must carry out a genuine mediation, uphold security of lives, and restoration of occupied communities as peace must precede policy.

The group noted that dialogue and consent are quite essential as any ranching program must be done through proper consultation, consent, and compensation with host communities.

According to the group, land remains a sensitive issue and cannot be imposed and therefore, there has been no comprehensive mediation, no justice, and no resettlement of these communities.

“We have received with mixed feelings the announcement by the Federal Government on the establishment of ranches in the country; using Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau States as a pilot scheme.

“Ordinarily, ranching as a modern practice of animal husbandry is welcome. It can reduce farmer-herder conflict and improve food security. However, due to the peculiar realities on ground in Benue and neighboring States, we have three critical realities that must be addressed first;

“We currently have over 5000 Benue people living in Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps across Benue State. They have no home to return to, no shelter, no farms, and no livelihood.

“Thus, it is unjust to talk about new land use for ranches when the owners of the land are still refugees in their own state.
For over 5 years, several communities in Benue State have been under siege. Our villages have been attacked, occupied, and our people killed or chased away.

“Establishing ranches under this atmosphere will be seen as rewarding violence and dispossession. With rapid population growth, available land in Benue and neighboring states is under immense pressure for agricultural production.

“Benue remains the food basket of the nation. Any program that involves large-scale land acquisition must not undermine food production.

“We are not against modern ranching, but federal government should fulfill the above conditions before embarking on any pilot scheme”, Agbecha reiterated.

The chairman assured that the three Socio- Cultural Organisations would continue to consult with relevant stakeholders, agencies and authorities to ensure that their voices are heard and would not rest on its oar to ensure that the right thing is done.

“We will give room for negotiation but the government should not play on our sense”, the chairman said.

Corroborating, the national president of Ochetoha K’ Idoma, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, revealed that the Benue socio cultural organisations is currently working on documents with regards to provide roadmap for the establishment of any scheme Benue people.

By Dan Amasingha,Minna.

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), has broken his silence on one of the most painful episodes of his military career, saying he could not save his childhood friend and fellow soldier, the late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, after an investigation linked him to the 1985 coup plot against his administration.

Babangida made the disclosure during a special programme on Badeggi 90.

The former military ruler said the allegations against Vatsa initially appeared unbelievable because of their extraordinary shared history.

According to him, he and Vatsa grew up together, attended the same school, graduated in the same year and joined the military at the same time.

“When I first heard the rumours that General Mamman Vatsa was involved in a plot to overthrow my administration, I could not believe it,” Babangida said.

He recalled that after receiving the allegations from a senior military officer, he summoned Vatsa and another senior officer, General Mohammed Gado Nasko, to his office for explanations.

Both men, he said, denied any involvement in the alleged plot.

Babangida, however, said the matter subsequently moved beyond personal assurances when a military commission of inquiry was constituted to investigate the allegations.

While Nasko was cleared, the former military president said the panel found evidence connecting Vatsa to the aborted coup.

The finding, he admitted, left him devastated.

“When it was finally confirmed that investigations revealed General Vatsa’s involvement in the aborted coup, I was shocked, devastated and deeply disappointed,” he said.

Babangida added: “There was nothing I could do to exonerate him from the consequences prescribed by military law. My hands were tied. That was how I lost my brother, General Mamman Vatsa.”

On the involvement of  Civilians in Military coups,The former military president also offered a broader assessment of Nigeria’s history of military interventions, arguing that successful coups in the country had never been purely military affairs.

He alleged that wealthy civilians had, at various times, played significant roles in financing or supporting military takeovers.

Babangida also spoke warmly about the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, whom he described as a close personal friend whose generosity cut across ethnic, religious and regional boundaries.

He said Abiola deployed his wealth to improve the lives of Nigerians regardless of their background.

“Chief MKO Abiola was a man who used his God-given wealth to positively impact the lives of Nigerians irrespective of their background,” he said, describing the late businessman as exceptionally generous and a man who built friendships across the country.

Speaking On one of the most controversial decisions of his administration, the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election—Babangida described the decision as one of the most difficult choices of his military career.

The election, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest, was won by Abiola, but its result was annulled by the military government.

Babangida said the decision was taken collectively and was considered, at the time, to be in the overall interest of the country.

“I must say that it was one of the toughest decisions taken during my military career, but it was made in what we believed was the best interest of the nation,” he stated.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges, the former military president urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country.

He called on citizens to continue supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing optimism that the government’s ongoing efforts would eventually produce positive results.

Babangida also appealed to traditional rulers and religious leaders to place national interest above sectional considerations and intensify their efforts toward strengthening Nigeria’s unity, peace and development.

His comments come as Nigerians prepare to mark the 85th birthday of the former military president, whose years in power remain among the most consequential and contested in Nigeria’s political history.

General Babangida’s 85th birthday celebration is scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, with special prayers expected at his Uphill residence in Minna, Niger State.