August Operations: Military Rescues 610 Kidnap Victims, Neutralises 324 Terrorists

August Operations: Military Rescues 610 Kidnap Victims, Neutralises 324 Terrorists

Nigeria’s military ended August with a stepped-up offensive against terrorists, kidnappers and other armed criminal groups, rescuing 610 kidnap victims and neutralising more than 324 terrorists and criminals across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, gave the figures in his monthly operational press briefing on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs on ongoing military operations across theatres.

Onoja, said troops also arrested 373 suspects, recovered 88 arms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition, while 201 insurgents surrendered during the month.

The North-East recorded significant counter-terrorism gains under Operation HADIN KAI, where troops rescued 60 kidnap victims, neutralised 114 terrorists, arrested 146 and recorded 201 surrenders.

Among those rescued were women and children held for years in terrorist enclaves around Borno State.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 126 victims and neutralised 190 terrorists, while troops recovered weapons and disrupted logistics networks supplying terrorist groups.

The most striking single rescue operation came in Kainji Lake National Park, where troops under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 308 abducted persons, mainly women and children, on 5 August.

Beyond counter-terrorism, the military intensified its assault on economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, dismantling 21 illegal refining sites and recovering hundreds of thousands of litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.

According to the DDMO, the results reflected sustained land, air and maritime operations, backed by intelligence sharing and cooperation with other security agencies and local security groups.

He said the Armed Forces would maintain the operational tempo, with particular focus on rescuing remaining kidnap victims, protecting civilians, disrupting terrorist logistics and securing critical national assets.