Troops rescue 24 kidnapped victims, arrest 14 suspects in nationwide operations

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 24 kidnapped victims, arrested 14 suspects and recovered about 800 rustled cattle in separate operations across the country.

The army made this known via a statement issued on Monday, September 28, 2026, saying the troops also foiled terrorist attacks, recovered weapons and intercepted suspected oil thieves within the last 24 hours.

The army said the troops of the 312 Army Reconnaissance Battalion rescued a woman and her son after engaging terrorists who attacked a family on a farm in Kankomi, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The army disclosed that the two victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their husband.

It revealed that the troops of the 21 Battalion, supported by vigilantes, rescued two kidnap victims from Ojoto Forest in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

In Edo State, security operatives were said to have rescued two victims abandoned by kidnappers at a ransom collection point in Ewu-Esan, adding that one later died from machete injuries sustained during the abduction.

The army said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also rescued 18 passengers kidnapped from a commercial bus along the Akwanga-Andaha Road in Nasarawa State after pursuing the abductors into nearby forests.

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In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace were said to have recovered about 800 cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists after forcing the suspects to flee.

The army said three suspected ISWAP members surrendered separately to troops in Borno and Adamawa after escaping from terrorist camps, while soldiers also destroyed an improvised explosive device along the Gwoza-Warabe-Pulka Road.

The army noted that the operations also led to the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Borno, Adamawa, and Kogi states, while troops in the Federal Capital Territory apprehended a suspected drug dealer with cannabis.

In Rivers State, soldiers were said to have arrested three suspected oil thieves allegedly transporting about 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil in wooden boats.

The army added that about 400 refugees and returnees from Niger Republic arrived in Damasak, Borno State, where they were screened, registered, and handed over to an Internally Displaced Persons camp with support from relevant authorities and humanitarian agencies.