Esther Oseyiomon
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria sustained offensive operations across the country between 6 and 12 November 2026, rescuing kidnapped victims, neutralising terrorists and dismantling criminal enclaves in the North East, North West, North Central and South East.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the biggest success of the week in Borno State.
On 6 November, troops received information that terrorists had blocked the Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road and abducted civilians in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area. Troops pursued the terrorists along the Mangari-Dora Road, forcing them to abandon their captives.
A total of 119 victims were rescued, comprising 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children. Troops also discovered an Improvised Explosive Device planted by the terrorists in the area.
In other operations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, troops repelled attacks, rescued more victims and recovered arms and ammunition, including a PKT machine gun, AK-47 rifles, magazines and rounds of ammunition.
Four terrorist fighters and 13 family members also surrendered between 6 and 8 November in Bama, Dikwa and Banki, attributing their decision to intense military pressure and conflict between rival factions. Troops also arrested 15 suspected collaborators, informants and spies in Maiduguri and Benisheikh, and intercepted logistics suppliers and fuel smugglers.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA cleared communities and forests in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States and rescued five kidnapped victims.
On 7 November, troops cleared Barayazaki, Gurusu, Gwashi and Nassarawa communities in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara State and rescued two victims in Gando Forest. On 10 November, troops neutralised one terrorist at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi, Katsina State, and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition, a motorcycle and mobile phones.
On 11 November, troops rescued three victims along the Kombo-Gurusu Road in Bukkuyum, but recovered the body of the vehicle’s driver. The same day, troops arrested a father and his son with an AK-47 rifle at Bauni Forest in Tangaza, Sokoto State.
In the North Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE cleared terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State on 8 November, destroying life-support structures and recovering 135 rounds of ammunition, motorcycles, radios and camouflage uniforms.
Following the encounter, the Emir of Bogwas handed over six AK-47 rifles and six magazines surrendered to him by armed elements.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE also sustained operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, capturing motorcycles, arresting suspected kidnappers and recovering arms handed over by community leaders at Abako in Katsina-Ala.
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD cleared Kainji Lake National Park in Borgu, Niger State, detonating five IEDs, neutralising two terrorists and arresting 11 suspected collaborators. On 8 November, troops cleared 32 more IEDs along the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana axes. Operations also extended to Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State and Oke-Ode in Kwara State, where Dane guns and cartridges were recovered.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA foiled an attempt by suspected cultists to ambush oil tankers at Awara Community in Ohaji-Egbema, Imo State, on 11 November, recovering an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun and ammunition.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended the resilience of the troops, wished wounded personnel speedy recovery and condoled with the family of the commuter killed in Bukkuyum.
He also commended security agencies, local security groups and traditional institutions, particularly the Emir of Bogwas, for their collaboration, and urged communities to continue providing timely information to security agencies.