Soldiers Kill 324 Terrorists, Arrest 375, Rescue 621 Kidnapped Victims In August

Troops fighting in different theatres of operation against insecurity/national threats neutralised a total of 324 terrorists and criminal elements, rescued over 621 kidnapped victims and arrested over 373 terrorists/criminal elements in August.

Troops discovered and deactivated 21 illegal refinery sites in the Niger Delta, and recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products from economic saboteurs

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, at a briefing in Abuja, noted that, “Additionally, 201 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 88 assorted arms and 2077 rounds of ammunition were recovered from terrorists and criminal elements.

Detailing the encounters, Onoja said, ‘Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West, during the month of August, rescued 126 kidnap victims and neutralized 190 terrorists, while 47 terrorists were arrested.

‘Significantly, on 2 August, troops responding to suspected terrorist movement through Giwa LGA of Kaduna State intercepted and arrested 21 persons attempting to cross into Birnin Kebbi, profiling established five as terrorists who were handed over to the Department of State Services, while the remaining passengers were released.

“On 6 August, four suspects were arrested at Darusa Village Market in Gudu LGA of Sokoto State, with six rustled cattle, mobile phones and ₦165,000 believed to be proceeds of an intended sale recovered.

“On 7 August, troops engaged terrorists at Kwanar Jollof in Shinkafi LGA and Birnin Tsaba Village along the Birnin Magaji-Zurmi Road in Birnin Magaji LGA, both in Zamfara State, forcing the terrorists to withdraw and abandon motorcycles, camouflage items and communication equipment.

‘A suspected terrorist collaborator and logistics facilitator was also arrested at Maradun, Zamfara State, with Five Million, Three Hundred and Two Thousand Naira (₦5,302,000) only reportedly intended for delivery to terrorist associates.

“On 8 August, troops responding to terrorist activity around Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State engaged the terrorists and forced them to abandon several kidnap victims, while efforts are ongoing to secure those in captivity.

“On 10 August, troops responded to an attack at Makuku Village in Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State and neutralised 18 terrorists. However, some local security personnel and one civilian were killed during the encounter; surveillance was subsequently intensified to prevent further attacks.

“On the same day, troops engaged terrorists at Ruwan Lafiya Village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State. They recovered an abandoned motorcycle, while two suspected terrorists, both foreign nationals believed to be IED experts, were arrested at Zurmi in Zamfara State.

‘On 12 August, a suspect was arrested at Kadage in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State with foreign camouflage items, mobile phones and identification documents and was handed over to the Department of State Services. A suspected logistics supplier was also arrested along the Gwarzo-Kano Road in Kano State with ammunition and other incriminating items.

“On 14 August, troops neutralised two terrorists at Kurudu Village in Kankia LGA of Katsina State. Between 14 – 15 August, troops neutralised two terrorists at Garin Kaso Village during clearance operations around Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji LGAs of Zamfara State, recovering rifles, ammunition and motorcycles.

“Between 17 – 19 August, troops recovered 28 abducted victims across Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara State, Sabuwa and Kankara LGAs of Katsina State, and Isa LGA of Sokoto State, handing all victims over to local authorities.

“On 14 August, troops arrested a suspect conveying 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, reportedly destined for terrorists in Katsina State. Another suspect connected to the same supply chain was arrested at Gusau on 15 August.

‘Troops subsequently arrested suspected collaborators of a notorious terrorist kingpin along the Sakajiki-Kwanar Guiwa Road in Kaura Namoda LGA and, through further exploitation, arrested six additional informants linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family and staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.

“On 19 August, a suspected terrorist informant was arrested in Shanono LGA of Kano State for allegedly monitoring troop deployments and equipment. Between 22 – 26 August, troops rescued a further 31 abducted persons at Dandume-Sheme Road in Dandume LGA of Katsina State, Gadan Manya Village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, Kachia LGA of Kaduna State, Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State and Hayin Babangida in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.

“On 23 August, troops also arrested three suspected gunrunners along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi Road with an assault rifle concealed in a bag of millet and arrested notorious terrorist kingpin Mallam Sanusi Mai Glass and his associate at Dutsinma LGA of Katsina State and recovered a vehicle.

“Two suspected terrorists were also arrested at Maradun LGA of Zamfara State on 25 August, with firearms, communication equipment, cash and incriminating digital materials recovered.

“On 28 August, troops conducted multiple clearance operations to clear terrorists hibernating around Maikujera Town in Rabah LGA of Sokoto State. During the clearance operations, troops neutralized 30 terrorists, while several others abandoned their positions and fled into surrounding farms and thick vegetation.

“During the operation, troops also encountered a group of terrorists who attempted to use rustled cattle as human shields during the confrontation. However, troops successfully countered the attempt and recovered 10 AK-47 rifles and 5 RPGs.

“Intelligence indicates that the group is suspected to be linked to the network of notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji, who has been using the Maikujera Axis as a transit corridor for moving stolen cattle from Gandi Town and adjoining communities in Rabah LGA.

“On 28 August, troops responded to a distress call concerning an attempted abduction of commuters around Kwanoni Hill Gate in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State. The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their victims and flee, thereby rescuing 12 commuters.

“On 29 August, in another clearance operation across Farin Tafki, Maharba, Adua and Soro Daya villages in Matazu LGA, Katsina State, troops made contact with terrorists and overwhelmed them with superior firepower. One terrorist identified as Smally, a lieutenant to Kachalla Muhammed Filani, was neutralised, while troops recovered three PKT machine guns, two AK-47 rifles, 11 AK-47 magazines, 180 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles, four of which were destroyed in situ.

“On 29 August, troops conducted an ambush operation along Gandi Bridge in Rabah LGA of Sokoto State, making contact with terrorists and forcing them to flee in disarray. Due to poor visibility, troops were unable to further exploit the encounter at the time. However, during subsequent exploitation of the terrorists’ withdrawal route on 30 August 2026, troops observed traces of blood and recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with a magazine, indicating that the fleeing terrorists may have sustained casualties.