The Nigerian Army has intensified its nationwide operations against terrorists and criminal groups, rescuing 17 kidnapped victims, arresting 20 suspects, and neutralising two terrorists within the past 48 hours.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Saturday, the Army said the coordinated operations were carried out across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-South regions.

According to the statement, troops of the 192 Battalion in the North-East, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, engaged Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram fighters in a fierce battle at Hudugum Village, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Two insurgents were killed during the offensive.

The Army further disclosed that three terrorists — identified as Fannami Ari (alias Abu Dujana), Hussaini Hassan Modu (alias Abu Yusuf), and another unnamed recruit — surrendered to troops in Kukawa and Damboa Local Government Areas, citing frustration with their leaders and worsening living conditions in their camps.

In the North-West, troops of the 1 Brigade foiled two coordinated kidnapping attempts in Zamfara State, rescuing 11 victims during separate operations along the Magami–Jan Gemi and Kucheri–Bilbis routes. The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families.

In the North-Central region, troops under Operations Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke conducted clearance raids across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, arresting 15 suspects involved in cultism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and communal violence. Four additional kidnapped victims were rescued in the process.

Meanwhile, in the South-South region, troops uncovered and dismantled two illegal oil-refining sites at Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. They also seized 62 sacks of stolen crude oil, estimated at over 3,000 litres, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

“The Nigerian Army remains steadfast and unyielding in its resolve to confront all enemies of the state and protect the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement affirmed.

Earlier, on October 17, 2025, troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 21 kidnapped victims, including four Chinese nationals, during coordinated operations in Kwara and Kogi States.