17 Terrorists surrender as troops smash logistics, arms networks nationwide

By Sumaila Ogbaje

No fewer than 17 suspected terrorists and their family members have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State as the military sustained offensive operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday during a weekly operational briefing covering military activities between September 4 and 10, 2026.

Onoja said the operations resulted in the disruption of terrorist logistics networks, recovery of firearms and ammunition, arrests of suspected collaborators and the rescue of kidnapping victims across various operational theatres.

According to him, the 17 terrorists and their family members surrendered in Monguno and along the Gwoza-Limankara road in Borno State between September 4 and 7.

He said the defectors cited harsh living conditions, hunger and a lack of basic provisions in terrorist enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for abandoning the groups.

Onoja also disclosed that troops rescued a woman and her one-year-old child near Gava in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on September 8.

He said the woman, an indigene of Chinene, told the troops that her captors had forced her into a child marriage in 2025.

The defence spokesman added that troops arrested suspected terrorist fighters, informants and spies during operations in the North-East, while also disrupting the supply networks supporting terrorist activities.

He said troops recovered medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and motorcycle spare parts allegedly destined for terrorist groups.

Onoja said that on September 5, troops arrested a suspected logistics supplier in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, with medical and veterinary supplies allegedly intended for a terrorist kingpin.

Three other suspects allegedly disguised as farmers and hunters were arrested in Mafa, Dikwa Local Government Area, on September 6. Troops recovered pharmaceuticals and motorcycle spare parts allegedly procured with terrorist funds.

In Yobe State, two suspected logistics suppliers were arrested at Gumsa Bridge in Geidam Local Government Area on September 8, with a large consignment of motorcycle spare parts recovered.

In the North-West, Onoja said troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

He said troops, supported by an attack helicopter, assaulted a suspected hideout of a terrorist kingpin in Yantumaki Forest, Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, on September 4.

According to him, one terrorist was neutralised during the operation, while others fled, abandoning motorcycles and medical supplies.

In Sokoto State, troops engaged suspected terrorists at Magarya Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area on September 5 and recovered two motorcycles, a rifle and a machine gun.

The following day, troops engaged suspected terrorists along Gundumi Road in Isa Local Government Area, forcing them to retreat into Gundumi Forest and abandoning a rifle.

In Zamfara, troops foiled an attempted abduction at Yerima Quarters in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area on September 9 after responding to a distress call.

Onoja said the intervention forced the suspected terrorists to abandon the operation and flee the area.

Troops also intercepted a truck along the Gurbi-Zurmi road in Jibia, Katsina State, on September 6, recovering four motorcycles concealed among fuel and oil consignments.

He said follow-up operations resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects, while a suspected spy was also arrested at Dange Market in Sokoto State on September 8.

In Kaduna, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Birnin Gwari on September 9 and recovered radio equipment allegedly linked to a reprisal attack on local residents.

A day later, troops intercepted a suspected ammunition courier along the Birnin Gwari axis and recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed in the suspect’s belongings.

Onoja further disclosed that troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a fighting patrol near Dekara village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

He said the weapon was believed to have been abandoned by terrorists who attacked the troops’ location on August 21.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for sustaining what he described as the operational tempo against terrorism, kidnapping and arms-trafficking networks.

Oluyede also praised the cooperation between the Armed Forces, other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, describing the collaboration as critical to the country’s response to security threats.

He urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations.

The CDS assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would continue to conduct operations in accordance with their Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement, International Humanitarian Law and other international best practices.

Dear Vows