By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian military has said that 17 terrorist fighters and their family members have surrendered to troops in Borno State as the Armed Forces sustained operations against terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.
Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, the Director, Defence Media Operations disclosed this in a statement on Friday while giving an update on operations conducted between September 4 and 10, 2026.
The DMO said troops of Operation Hadin Kai operating in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states recorded a steady wave of surrenders during the period.
He said the 17 terrorists surrendered in Monguno town and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Gwoza LGA of Borno State between September 4 and 7.
“The terrorists cited harsh living conditions, hunger and lack of basic provisions in terrorist enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for abandoning the groups.”
Gen. Onoja said troops rescued a female abductee and her one-year-old child near the Gava area of Gwoza LGA on September 8.
The victim, an indigene of Chinene, disclosed that she had been forced into child marriage by her captors in 2025.
Troops also arrested several suspected terrorists, informants and spies across the theatre, including a suspect with a gunshot wound apprehended while loitering near a military location in Gwoza.
Other arrests were made along the Biu-Mandaraugirau Road in Biu LGA, in Monguno town and in Hong LGA of Adamawa State.
General Onoja added that troops disrupted several terrorist logistics networks.
A suspected logistics supplier was arrested in Benisheikh, Kaga LGA on September 5 with medical and veterinary supplies allegedly destined for a terrorist leader.
On September 6, three suspects disguised as farmers and hunters were arrested in Mafa, Dikwa LGA, with pharmaceuticals and motorcycle spare parts concealed in knapsack sprayers. Two other suspected suppliers were arrested at Gumsa Bridge in Geidam LGA of Yobe State on September 8.
Operations in North-West, South-South and South-East
In the North-West troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised one terrorist in Yantumaki Forest, Danmusa LGA of Katsina State on September 4 and recovered motorcycles and medical supplies. Troops also engaged terrorists in Magarya Forest, Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State on September 5, recovering weapons and motorcycles.
On September 9, troops foiled an attempted abduction in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State. A truck carrying four motorcycles concealed in fuel consignments was also intercepted in Jibia LGA of Katsina State, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects.
In Niger State troops of Operation Savannah Shield recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition in Borgu LGA on September 9.
In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested four suspected kidnappers in Akoko-Edo LGA of Edo State on September 4.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka raided suspected separatist hideouts in Enugu East LGA on September 4, arresting three suspects and recovering a locally made pistol and knives. Another pistol was recovered in Anambra West LGA on September 7.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their successes and praised cooperation with other security agencies and the public.
He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing timely information, and assured that the Armed Forces would sustain operations within the code of Conduct, Rules of Engagement and International Humanitarian Law.
