Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 46 kidnapped victims and neutralised a suspected militia member in separate operations in the last 24 hours across the country.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Tuesday, said troops also recovered firearms, disrupted terrorist activities and rescued other victims during the period.
In Zamfara, the report said the troops of Combat Team 7 responded to terrorist activities around Fegen Baza and Setraco Company in Tsafe Local Government Area.
It said the troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon 41 civilians and withdraw towards adjoining farmlands.
According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that one of the vehicles assaulted was reportedly travelling from Senegal to Kano State.
“Also in Kebbi, troops of 223 Battalion operating from Forward Operating Base Bena responded to information on terrorists moving with suspected kidnapped victims around Sawade village, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
“The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee towards Dan Lai Forest and abandon two kidnapped victims.
“The victims were rescued and handed over to the District Head of Bena for further action,” it said.
The report revealed that troops of 45 Battalion and vigilantes, during a fighting patrol around Alabani village, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger, engaged terrorists and forced them to abandon kidnapped victims.
According to the report, one vigilante sustained a gunshot wound but was reported to be in stable condition.
In Anambra, it said the troops of 185 Battalion, in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) and vigilantes, rescued three civilians kidnapped at Osaukwa Bridge, Ihiala Local Government Area.
“Troops of Operation UDO KA also conducted an offensive operation against an alleged Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) camp at Ugbene, Awka North Local Government Area.
“The operation was supported by troops of 197 Special Forces Battalion, Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and DSS, with close air support.
“The troops engaged the suspected terrorists after drone surveillance confirmed that improvised explosive devices had been laid along the route to the camp,” it said.
The report said casualties among the terrorists could not be confirmed because of the thick vegetation.
It added that troops trailed the kidnappers and forced them to abandon their victims along the route before fleeing into surrounding bushes.
In Plateau, the army said that troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) engaged suspected militias at Rugan Jallo following an earlier attack on three women along Rakung road, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
It said the troops neutralised one suspected militia member and recovered two motorcycles.
“In Taraba, troops of 114 Battalion, in conjunction with a Defence Intelligence Agency composite team, raided an illegal arms store at Abbare, Lau Local Government Area.
“The operation yielded one K2 rifle, one K2 magazine, one submachine gun, one magazine, 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and six rounds of 9mm ammunition,” the report said.
In Delta, it said the troops of 63 Brigade Garrison arrested a suspected criminal carrying a firearm along the Issele-Asaba road in Aniocha North Local Government Area.
According to the report, the suspect was arrested while allegedly loitering around Cubana Estate with a group of persons.
It added that the suspect and recovered firearm were handed over to 63 Provost Company for further investigation.
“Meanwhile, the army operationalised 12 and 28 Infantry Battalions at Bakura and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara on Sept. 28.
“The Acting Commander, 1 Brigade, who represented the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, charged the troops to remain steadfast in combating insecurity within their area of responsibility,” the report added. (NAN)
Yusuf Abdullahi Itas, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Itas/Gadau State Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2027 general election. Itas, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), announced his decision in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the party’s state chairman.
In the letter titled, “Withdrawal of Candidature for the Itas/Gadau State Constituency Seat in the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” the lawmaker formally informed the party that he would no longer contest the seat in the 2027 election.
He described his decision as “entirely voluntary and personal”.
He thanked the APM leadership and its members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.
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Itas also expressed appreciation to residents of the constituency for their encouragement and support during his time in office.
The lawmaker is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petitions and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
His withdrawal comes less than three weeks after the Bauchi Assembly Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada, also announced that he would not contest the 2027 elections.
Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.
From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.
Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.
Some go to school with torn shoes.
Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.
And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.
But we are here to tell them something different.
YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.
Your address does not determine your destiny.
The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.
Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.
Look at Jos.
This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.
John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.
P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.
Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.
And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 
So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”
We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.
We are looking at potential.
We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.
Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:
“I believe in you.”
That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.
We will tell the stories of the streets.
We will show the struggles.
We will celebrate the talent.
We will listen to the dreams.
And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.
Your parents may not have everything.
Your environment may not be perfect.
You may not have the opportunities others have.
But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.
The world may see a child from the slum.
We see a future star.
The world may see a difficult beginning.
We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.
This is Jos Ghetto Stories.
Stories from the streets.
Stories of struggle.
Stories of hope.
Stories of talent.
Stories of resilience.
Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.
Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.
And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.