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DHQ says troops killed 324 terrorists, rescued 610 kidnap victims in August
The Defence Headquarters says troops eliminated 324 terrorists and criminals, arrested 373 others, and rescued 610 kidnap victims across the country in August.
The director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces.
Mr Onoja said the military also recorded the surrender of 201 insurgents and recovered 88 arms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition during the period.
He said the month was characterised by coordinated land, air and maritime operations focused on degrading terrorists’ and criminal groups’ capabilities.
“During the month of August, the Armed Forces sustained a robust operational tempo across the various geopolitical zones. This was characterised by coordinated land, air and maritime operations focused on degrading terrorists’ and criminal groups’ capabilities.
“The operations were also occasioned by the rescue of abducted citizens, disrupting arms trafficking and logistics chains, countering secessionist and other armed criminal elements, as well as protecting critical national assets,” he said.
Mr Onoja said troops recorded notable successes across all geopolitical zones, while the air component maintained consistent combat support and reconnaissance for ground formations.
According to him, troops of Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, maintained aggressive counter-terrorism operations in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe, neutralising 114 terrorists, arresting 146, and rescuing 60 kidnapped victims.
He said that notable among the rescues was the rescue of two women and two children near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA of Borno State on Aug. 1, who had been held since the 2023 farming season.
He also cited the rescue of Blessing Tuggur, who was abducted in November 2025 in Askira Uba LGA.
In the North-West, Onoja said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained large-scale counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara, neutralising 190 terrorists, arresting 47, and rescuing 126 victims.
He said that in the North-Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 329 kidnap victims, including 308 women and children rescued in a joint operation within Kainji Lake National Park in Borgu LGA of Niger on Aug. 5.
“On the situation concerning residents displaced or abducted from communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger, the military remains deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of all affected persons and their families.
“The recent rescue of 308 abducted persons demonstrates the commitment and capability of the security forces to locate, rescue and safely return affected citizens,” he said.
Mr Onoja said Operations Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke in Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba rescued 15 and 38 victims respectively, while Operation Delta Safe in the South-South rescued 38 civilians and Operation UDO KA in the South East rescued four.
Mr Onoja said the air component also delivered decisive blows, including precision strikes that neutralised scores of terrorists assembling with about 15 motorcycles in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger on August 6.
He added that an armed reconnaissance mission also disrupted over 300 motorcycles around Sangeko and Baba-Doka areas on August 9.
On the comparative trend, Mr Onoja said the month of August witnessed a marked improvement in operational effectiveness.
He explained that the number of bandits and criminals neutralised declined by 20.9 per cent in July but rose sharply by 217.6 per cent in August, while the number of civilians rescued declined by 27.5 per cent in July but increased substantially by 55.2 per cent in August.
“The operational record for the month of August stands as compelling testimony to the sustained resolve of the AFN to ensure a secure environment for socio-economic stability and peace to thrive in our country.
“In contrast, surrendered terrorists recorded a consistent and remarkable increase, rising from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August, indicating growing pressure on hostile elements and a possible willingness to abandon terrorism,” he added.
Mr Onoja quoted the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, as commending the gallantry, discipline and resilience of troops across all theatres.
He said the CDS also acknowledged the recent gesture by Air Peace, during which its staff and passengers gave military personnel a spontaneous standing ovation while boarding a flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“The CDS sincerely and profoundly appreciates this heartfelt expression of goodwill and encourages other corporate organisations, institutions and citizens to support and recognise those who continue to stand in the defence of our dear nation,” he said.
Mr Onoja urged the public to continue providing timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193, assuring that all information received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
(NAN)
Super Eagles legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has backed Kylian Mbappé to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, believing the Real Madrid forward has done enough to earn football’s biggest individual prize.
Okocha admits that this year’s race is more exciting than ever, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and several Paris Saint-Germain players also in contention. However, the former Nigerian international believes Mbappé’s goal-scoring record gives him a strong case for the award.
Despite acknowledging the strong competition, the former Paris Saint-Germain playmaker made his preference clear, pointing to Mbappé’s scoring achievements in three major competitions.
“I think Mbappé deserves it for having been the top scorer in the World Cup (10 goals), the Champions League (15) and the Spanish league (25),” he added.
Kane, however, has also enjoyed an outstanding season. The England captain scored 73 goals for Bayern Munich and the national team during the 2025–26 campaign, strengthening his position among the leading candidates for the award.
The debate is therefore about more than choosing between two prolific strikers. While Mbappé’s numbers across major competitions have impressed Okocha, Kane’s remarkable goal return has also given him a strong argument.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 in London, where the winner will be announced.
With several players making convincing cases, the final decision promises to attract plenty of attention from football fans.
For Okocha, though, Mbappé has already done enough to stand out from the competition.
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