*NAF spends almost N18bn on Jet A-1 gasoline in 10 months to help nationwide safety
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has mentioned troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), deployed throughout all theatres of operations nationwide, have rescued 70 kidnapped victims and recovered N10 million in suspected ransom funds inside one week of ongoing safety operations.
The growth highlighted the efforts of safety personnel to dismantle legal networks, rescue kidnapped victims and disrupt the actions of armed teams, in compliance with the presidential directive to the army and different safety companies in Abuja.
In his weekly replace on the operational actions of troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, mentioned the continued operations underscored the continued concentrate on tackling kidnapping, recovering ransom funds and restoring safety in affected communities.
Onoja mentioned the AFN had sustained the momentum of operations throughout the nation’s numerous geopolitical zones, including that constant efforts had been made to disclaim terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners and different legal components freedom of motion.
He revealed that the operations lined the interval from 15 to 22 October 2026.
“In the course of the week, troops rescued 70 kidnapped and kidnapped victims, together with 27 villagers freed at Gamji in Katsina State and 29 farmers rescued in Mariga, Niger State. Troops additionally recovered N10 million suspected to be ransom cost in Kano State.
“Additionally, troops arrested a wished terrorist kingpin in Mokwa, Niger State, in addition to 5 members of the syndicate liable for abducting potential corps members in Imo State.
Turning to operations in the North-East geopolitical zone, he mentioned troops had sustained offensive operations in opposition to terrorists throughout Borno and Yobe States, consolidating the positive factors of latest engagements.
He added that, following the terrorist assault on troops’ location at Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, troops performed clearance operations from 16 to 18 October 2026.
He mentioned, “The operations led to the seize of eight AK-47 rifles, two pump-action weapons, 300 rounds of PKT ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenade bombs and chargers, a handheld radio and a motorbike.
“On 18 October 2026, troops intercepted a resident of Monguno LGA who had escaped after being kidnapped alongside 11 others round Minati in Kukawa LGA on 17 October 2026. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims.
“Similarly, on 22 October 2026, troops intercepted an abductee who had escaped from Chikide Village on the Mandara Mountains along the Guduf-Bubayagwa axis in Gwoza LGA. The individual was subsequently handed over to the IDP Camp Office in Gwoza.”
Troops additionally recorded sustained surrenders and arrests through the interval.
“On 16 October 2026, troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and collaborators at Benisheikh Market in Kaga LGA of Borno State.
“The following day, a suspected terrorist who claimed to have been recruited by means of a social media group in 2024 surrendered to native safety teams at Buni Gari in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
“On the identical day, troops arrested suspected terrorist collaborators at Kanama in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State.
“Further arrests had been made in Damboa on 19 October 2026. The suspects had been reportedly supplying clothes supplies for terrorists’ uniforms in the Maidaji and (*70*) camps.
“Between 16 and 22 October 2026, a complete of 19 terrorist fighters and relations surrendered to, or had been intercepted by, troops in Bama, Konduga, Mafa and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State.
“They cited hunger, hardship and violent clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for fleeing the terrorist camps,” Major General Onoja mentioned.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, on behalf of the AFN, recommended the resilience of troops throughout all theatres of operations, significantly their efforts in rescuing the 27 villagers in Gamji and the 29 farmers in Mariga, recovering the ransom in Falgore Forest, and sustaining the regular move of surrenders in the North-East.
These achievements, he mentioned, demonstrated that terrorists had been being squeezed from all sides.
