Abuja – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, has intensified Nigeria’s military offensive against terrorists, bandits and kidnapping syndicates, with troops killing more than 50 insurgents, rescuing scores of abducted victims and dismantling criminal hideouts across multiple states.
The sweeping military operations, conducted between October 30 and November 5, 2026, also forced 12 terrorists and their family members to surrender in Borno State, while dozens of suspected collaborators, informants, arms suppliers and logistics operators were arrested.
The operations, which covered the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-East, delivered particularly devastating blows to terrorist formations in Borno and Yobe states, where troops repelled coordinated attacks and recovered an extensive arsenal of weapons.
In one of the deadliest encounters, troops of Operation Hadin Kai crushed a terrorist assault on Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State after insurgents advanced from the notorious Timbuktu Triangle axis on the night of October 29.
A follow-up military operation on October 30 uncovered 48 dead terrorists, alongside 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.
The insurgents suffered further casualties along their withdrawal route around Apama and Jauro Bashir, where troops recovered three additional bodies, an AK-47 rifle and 188 rounds of ammunition.
Another attempted attack on a military position at Bitta in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State ended in failure as troops forced the terrorists to retreat, leaving seven dead fighters behind.
Troops subsequently recovered four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a communication radio.
The military offensive also exposed deepening cracks within terrorist ranks, as 12 fighters and their family members surrendered between November 2 and 4 at New Abaram Resettlement Village, Banki Junction in Bama and areas around Ngurusoye in Gwoza Local Government Area.
The surrendering individuals reportedly attributed their decision to sustained military pressure and internal disagreements between rival JAS and ISWAP factions.
Beyond battlefield victories, troops arrested 50 suspected terrorists, informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers across the North-East.
Three suspected suppliers were intercepted at Damboa, while two suspected fighters from Niger Republic’s Diffa Region were arrested at Garin Gada in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State while allegedly travelling to procure logistics for terrorists operating along the Nigeria-Niger border.
A female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains was also rescued at Hudugum along the Gwoza-Limankara Road.
In another operation aimed at dismantling terrorist supply networks, troops and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 36 suspects during coordinated searches at motor parks across Maiduguri.
The offensive under Oluyede’s leadership also recorded significant breakthroughs in the North-West, where troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 18 kidnapped victims in Kebbi State.
Following a distress call from Ribah in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area on October 30, troops cleared the Ribah-Dirindaji Road and launched a night pursuit towards Rambo Village, forcing kidnappers to abandon seven victims.
Another four victims abducted from their farms in Wasagu Village were rescued on October 31 after troops repelled an ambush along the Wasagu-Falfala Road.
Seven additional victims were rescued from Sabon Tunga and Binoni villages in the same local government area on November 3.
In Kaduna State, troops arrested two suspects allegedly involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling at Sabon Gida Village in Chikun Local Government Area.
A suspected terrorist was also apprehended at a clinic in Kagarko Local Government Area after allegedly seeking treatment for gunshot injuries sustained during a clash with a rival terrorist faction. The arrest involved troops and operatives of the Department of State Services.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke launched aggressive operations against armed gangs and kidnapping networks in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states, destroying criminal hideouts and recovering weapons capable of sustaining prolonged attacks.
At Edimogbo Forest on November 2, troops stormed a suspected criminal enclave, forcing armed elements to flee after an exchange of gunfire.
A subsequent search uncovered 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, seven bandoliers, six motorcycles and a mobile phone before the hideout was destroyed.
The offensive continued on November 3, when troops encountered two suspected kidnappers during patrol operations and neutralised both.
Two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
At Obele Forest on November 4, troops neutralised another three suspected kidnappers, recovering four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and three bandoliers.
In Taraba State, troops responding to a kidnapping distress call at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area engaged the attackers and rescued six civilians, including a baby.
Troops also arrested a wanted member of the notorious Konyo Boys bandit group at Ahmadu Village in Takum Local Government Area.
The suspect subsequently led troops to a hut where an AK-47 rifle and a mobile phone were recovered.
In Kogi State, a suspected terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered at Atsawa in Lokoja Local Government Area, handing over an AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition and a radio.
The surrendering fighter reportedly cited sustained military attacks on criminal camps in Agbaja and Kakanda forests.
Troops also arrested a suspected logistics supplier at Jamata in Lokoja, who allegedly confessed to supplying terrorists loyal to the neutralised Kachallah Baccujo in Agbaja Forest.
Another suspected gunrunner was arrested in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State on November 5.
In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued 15 kidnapped victims following an encounter with bandits around Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area on November 5.
The operation yielded two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles, ammunition and ₦4.105 million in cash.
The recovery of 33 motorcycles dealt another blow to the mobility and logistics of armed groups operating in the area.
In Kwara State, troops working alongside the Vigilante Group of Nigeria ambushed Ansaru terrorists who attacked Nanu Village in Kaiama Local Government Area on November 4, neutralising two insurgents.
Troops also arrested an injured suspected kidnapper at Dusai Village in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State after pursuing fleeing criminals.
The suspect reportedly disclosed that three individuals were involved in the attempted kidnapping.
In another operation, three kidnap victims who escaped from their captors were rescued during a fighting patrol in Lema-Ndeji Forest in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka sustained pressure on kidnappers and armed criminal elements in Abia and Anambra states.
Troops rescued a kidnapped victim on November 4 following an attack by gunmen on a compound at Okwe Ubahu Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
In Anambra State, a search operation at a shop near the Marine Outpost in Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area, uncovered a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges.
The weapons were suspected to have been concealed for use in intimidating members of the community.
Reacting to the operational gains, Oluyede commended troops for their courage, resilience and sacrifices in confronting terrorists and other criminal elements across the country.
The CDS also honoured an officer and a soldier who paid the supreme price in the line of duty, alongside a civilian hunter who lost his life while supporting military operations.
He assured their families that their sacrifices would remain indelible in the nation’s memory and wished wounded personnel a speedy and full recovery.
Oluyede further acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, stressing that effective intelligence sharing, sustained collaboration and coordinated operational planning remained essential to consolidating the military’s gains.
He called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to strengthen cooperation with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence on suspicious movements and criminal activities.
The CDS urged citizens to report relevant information through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.
He equally warned Nigerians against providing logistics or other forms of support to criminal groups, engaging in mob action or spreading misinformation and disinformation capable of undermining security operations.
Gen Oluyede charged troops to remain vigilant, disciplined and combat-ready, stressing that terrorists and armed criminals remained dangerous even when wounded or under intense military pressure.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who signed the operational briefing on November 6, said the Armed Forces would sustain the nationwide offensive in collaboration with relevant stakeholders until lasting peace, security and stability were restored.
The latest battlefield figures represent another major test of Nigeria’s military campaign against insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, as the Defence Chief pushes for sustained pressure on criminal networks and the dismantling of their operational and logistical structures.