Numerous insurgents have been neutralized across various communities in Northern Nigeria as troops of the Nigerian military maintain relentless pressure on terrorist enclaves.
The troops, in different operations sustained pressure on the criminals and dismantled criminal networks with a view to protecting lives and property, and restoring lasting peace and security across the country.
Daily Trust reports that the development was in line with the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede.
The four-star general, has at different fora maintained that he would continue to ensure that all law-abiding Nigerians, particularly those in the Northern Nigeria sleep with their two eyes closed.
Updating Nigerians on the efforts being made to restore peace across the country, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja disclosed that consistent efforts were made to deny terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners and other criminal groups’ freedom of action between October 30th and November 5th, 2026.
Terrorists suffer heavy losses in Northeast
Checks showed that in the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation HADIN KAI inflicted heavy losses on terrorists who attempted to strike at troops’ locations in Borno and Yobe States.
Subsequently, troops pressed home the advantage with clearance operations and a wave of arrests.
On the night of October 29th, 2026, terrorists approached Buni Yadi in Gujba LGA of Yobe State, from the Timbuktu Triangle axis.
However, troops countered the attack and subsequent exploitation on 30 October 30th, 2026 discovered the bodies of 48 terrorists, along with 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.
The following day, troops’ operations around Apama and Jauro Bashir along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, recovered three corpses, an AK-47 rifle and 188 rounds of ammunition.
The senior military officer confirmed that on the same day, terrorists also attempted to infiltrate a troops’ location at Bitta in Gwoza LGA of Borno State but were forced to retreat.
He added, “Exploitation at first light recovered the bodies of seven terrorists, four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio.
“Troops also received several surrendered members of terrorist groups, rescued escapees and dismantled terrorist support networks across the theatre.
“Between 2 – 4 November 2026, twelve terrorist fighters and family members surrendered at New Abaram Resettlement Village and Banki Junction in Bama LGA and near Ngurusoye in Gwoza LGA in Borno State.”
On November 2nd, 2026, troops rescued a female abductee who had escaped from the Mandara Mountains at Hudugum, Hambagda, along the Gwoza-Limankara Road.
He disclosed that troops arrested 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers, among them suppliers and informants at Benisheikh in Kaga LGA on 31 October and 2 November 2026.
“Similarly, three suppliers at Damboa and two suspected fighters from the Diffa Region of Niger Republic were intercepted at Garin Gada in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State on 3 November 2026 while on their way to procure logistics for terrorists along the Nigeria-Niger border.
“On 5 November 2026, troops and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency conducted search operations at several motor parks in Maiduguri to disrupt terrorists’ supply networks and arrested 36 suspects,” he said.
Troops rescue many abductees
In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained operations in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
Specifically, on October 30th, 2026, following a distress call from Ribah in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, troops cleared the Ribah-Dirindaji Road.
This led to a search and rescue operation and an aggressive night pursuit towards Rambo Village, which forced the terrorists to abandon seven kidnapped victims.
The following day, troops on patrol along the Wasagu-Falfala Road in the same Local Government Area, responded to an ambush, forcing the terrorists to flee and abandon four victims abducted from their farms in Wasagu Village.
On November 3rd 2026, troops also conducted search and rescue operations around Geso and Ayan Geso in Maru LGA of Zamfara State and rescued seven kidnapped victims from Sabon Tunga and Binoni Villages in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.
Before then, troops arrested two suspects who had participated in kidnapping and rustling at Sabon Gida Village in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
Troops and operatives of the Department of State Services apprehended a suspected terrorist who sneaked into a clinic in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State, to receive treatment for gunshot wounds sustained in a clash with a rival terrorist faction on November 5th, 2026.
Terrorists flee North Central
In the meantime, following sustained pressure in various communities in the North Central, terrorists have fled many of their enclaves to avoid military’s onslaught.
Specifically, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE intensified pressure on kidnappers and armed gangs in Benue, Kogi, and Taraba States.
On November 2nd, 2026, troops conducted a fighting patrol to a hideout within Edimogbo Forest and made contact with criminals whi later fled into the forest.
The engagement led to the discovery of 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, seven bandoliers, six motorcycles and a mobile. The hideout was subsequently destroyed.
Giving an insight to how it happened, Major-General Onoja explained that troops conducted patrols to dominate the general area and this led to an engagement with 2 suspected kidnappers on November 3rd 2026.
He said the suspects were neutralized and the following items were captured; two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and over 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
According to him, on November 4th, 2026, troops exploited into Obele Forest, neutralised three kidnappers and captured four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and three bandoliers.
He added, “Similarly, on 4 November 2026, troops at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido LGA, Taraba State, responded to a distress call of a kidnapping, made contact with the terrorists and rescued six civilians, including a baby.
“In related operations, on 1 November 2026, troops arrested a wanted member of the Konyo Boys bandit group at Ahmadu Village in Takum LGA of Taraba State.
“The suspect subsequently led them to a hut where an AK-47 rifle and a mobile phone were recovered.
“On 4 November 2026, a terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered to troops at Atsawa in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State, with an AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition and a radio, citing the troops’ continued offensive operations against camps in Agbaja and Kakanda forests.
“The same day, troops at Jamata in Lokoja LGA arrested a logistics supplier who confessed to conveying supplies to terrorists loyal to the neutralised Kachallah Baccujo in Agbaja Forest.
“On November 5th, 2026, troops arrested a suspected gunrunner in Gboko LGA of Benue State.”
At Buni Yadi and Bitta, troops successfully countered determined terrorist attacks and neutralized more than 50 terrorists.
In Kogi State, troops overran kidnappers’ hideouts in Edimogbo and Obele forests, capturing weapons and other items from the criminals’ enclaves.
Similarly, sustained operations in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States, as well as Abia and Anambra States, led to the rescue of several kidnapped victims, including a baby.
In the North East, the continued surrender of terrorists and their families further indicates the impact of sustained military pressure on the terrorists.
General Olufemi lauds troops
Acknowledging the sacrifice the troops are making on the frontline, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, on behalf of the AFN, commends the courage, resilience and sacrifices of troops in the various theatres of operations.
He honours the memory of the officer and soldier who paid the supreme price in the line of duty, alongside the civilian hunter who lost his life in the course of supporting troops, assuring their families that their sacrifices will remain indelible in the nation’s memory.
The top military officer also wished the wounded personnel a speedy and full recovery, while appreciating the contributions of other security agencies.
He emphasised the need for sustained collaboration, effective intelligence sharing and coordinated operational planning to consolidate the gains recorded.
The CDS also acknowledged the media for its continued support through balanced and responsible reportage, which is essential when reporting sensitive security matters capable of undermining public confidence, heightening tension or compromising ongoing operations.
General Oluyede also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen their partnership with security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.
Citizens are equally urged to deny criminals access to logistics and other forms of support, and to shun mob action, misinformation and the spread of disinformation.
He further reminded troops to remain vigilant, disciplined and combat-ready at all times, stressing that the adversary remains dangerous even when wounded or under pressure.
According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, therefore, remains resolute in its constitutional responsibility and will sustain the current operational momentum, working in synergy with relevant stakeholders until lasting peace, security and stability are restored across the country.
What You Should Know
The Nigerian military has intensified its nationwide operations, recording major victories against criminal networks across the Northern geopolitical zones between late October and early November 2026. Troops successfully neutralized numerous terrorists, intercepted logistics suppliers, and rescued multiple abducted victims from bandits and insurgents.
- Positive Impact: These sustained military offensives help restore lasting peace, enhance the security of lives and property, and allow farmers and residents in vulnerable communities to move around more safely.
- Potential Concerns: Ongoing security challenges and attempts by desperate criminal elements to disrupt supply routes mean that rural areas may still experience isolated threats until total clearance is achieved.
