397 kidnap victims rescued, 102 terrorists killed in July – DHQ

August 1, 2026 12:01 am

Solomon Odeniyi and Adeyinka Adedipe

The Nigerian military said its troops killed 102 terrorists and criminals, rescued 397 kidnapped victims and arrested 345 suspected terrorists and criminals during operations conducted across the country in July.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday while presenting the operational scorecard of the Armed Forces for July.

Onoja said troops also recovered 59 firearms and 1,811 rounds of ammunition during the period, while 57 insurgents and their family members surrendered.

He said one of the military’s major breakthroughs during the month was the surrender of a senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province, describing the development as evidence of mounting pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North-East.

Giving a breakdown of operations in the North-East, Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained coordinated land and air offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states.

“Operations led to the killing of 54 terrorists, the arrest of 102 suspects, the rescue of 102 kidnapped victims, and the surrender of 57 insurgents and their family members.

“The theatre also recorded a steady trend of surrenders occasioned by sustained offensive pressure on terrorists’ enclaves,” he said.

He disclosed that on July 25, a senior ISWAP finance operative surrendered to troops along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route.

“A suspect, identified as the Chief Finance Officer of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, surrendered alongside two children and handed over an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and an undisclosed sum of money.

“The surrender underscores the effectiveness of ongoing military operations in degrading the operational capability and morale of insurgent groups.

“Three suspected terrorists also surrendered to troops in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State on July 28 after fleeing their camps following sustained air strikes.

“The suspects confessed during interrogation that they had been trained as gunboat operators and anti-aircraft gunners for operations around the Lake Chad region,” he said.

The Defence spokesman further disclosed that troops arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in Magumeri Local Government Area after they allegedly admitted to supporting insurgent activities.

In Taraba State, Onoja said troops rescued three kidnap victims during a fighting patrol to Bomanda village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area following intelligence on abductions in the area.

Summarising the nationwide operations, Onoja said the Armed Forces remained committed to sustaining pressure on terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups.

“The victims, who had been held captive for about 10 days, were evacuated for medical attention before being reunited with their families.

“The operational record for July stands as compelling testimony to the Armed Forces’ resolve to create a secure environment for socio-economic development. During the month, 102 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, 345 suspects arrested, 397 kidnapped victims rescued, while 57 insurgents surrendered. Troops also recovered 59 weapons and 1,811 rounds of ammunition,” he said.

Onoja added that military operations against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta also recorded significant successes, further disrupting the activities of economic saboteurs.

In a related development, troops of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under the 2 Division, participating in Operation WABAIZIGAN, rescued 14 kidnapped victims in Edo State.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, Kennedy Anyanwu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying a swift response to a kidnap incident along the Lagos–Benin Expressway in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State led to the rescue of the victims.

He said the operation further demonstrated the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and denying criminal elements freedom of action within its area of responsibility.

“The rescue operation was conducted at about 9:30pm on July 30, 2026, after troops on routine patrol received credible intelligence on the kidnap incident.

“Acting swiftly and decisively, the troops immediately pursued the kidnappers along their withdrawal route, applying sustained pressure that forced the criminals to abandon 11 of the abducted victims and flee into the surrounding forest.

“In a follow-up clearance operation conducted on July 31, 2026, the troops aggressively combed the forest and successfully rescued the remaining three victims, bringing the total number of rescued victims to 14,” he said.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]