17 terrorist fighters Surrender to troops in Monguno
Not less than 17 terrorists fighters and their family members surrendered themselves to troops of Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai in Monguno between 4-7 September 2026, the Defence Headquarters has said.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations in a statement said the development was sequel to
sustained military operation from 4 – 7 September 2026 which led to the surrender of a total of 17 terrorist fighters with family members in Monguno town and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
He said the terrorists cited harsh living conditions, hunger and lack of basic provisions within their enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for fleeing.
Meanwhile, on 8 September 2026, troops intercepted a female abductee and her one-year-old child near the Gava area of Gwoza LGA of Borno State. The victim, who is an indigene of Chinene, disclosed that she had been forced into child marriage by her captors in 2025. Similarly, between 5 – 10 September 2026, troops arrested suspected terrorist fighters, informants and spies across the theatre, including a suspect bearing a gunshot wound who was apprehended while loitering near troops location in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Also, on 5 September 2026, a suspect was arrested along the Biu-Mandaraugirau Road in Biu LGA of Borno State. Additionally, a suspected terrorist informant was trailed and arrested at Monguno town on 8
September 2026, while a suspected member of a terrorist faction was arrested in Hong LGA of Adamawa State on 10 September 2026.
Troops also disrupted multiple terrorist logistics networks during the period. On 5 September 2026, a suspected logistics supplier was arrested in Benisheikh town in Kaga LGA of Borno State. The suspect was in possession of a substantial quantity of medical and veterinary supplies intended for a terrorist ring leader. On 6 September 2026, troops arrested three suspects disguised as farmers and hunters at Mafa in Dikwa LGA of Borno State, recovering assorted pharmaceuticals, motorcycle spare parts and other items concealed in knapsack sprayers, procured with funds provided by terrorists.
On 8 September 2026, troops arrested two suspected logistics suppliers at Gumsa Bridge in Geidam LGA of Yobe State, and confiscated a large consignment of motorcycle spare parts intended for terrorists operating between Yunusari and Mobbar areas.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations against terrorism across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States, recording several successful engagements. On 4
September 2026, troops, supported by an attack helicopter, assaulted a suspected hideout of a notorious terrorist kingpin at Yantumaki Forest in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State. Troops neutralised one terrorist while others fled. Same troops also confiscated motorcycles and medical supplies intended for use by the terrorists. On 5 September 2026, troops engaged terrorists at Magarya Forest in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State and confiscated two motorcycles, a rifle and a machine gun during the ensuing pursuit and exploitation. On 6 September 2026, troops further engaged marauding terrorists along the Gundumi Road in Isa LGA of Sokoto State, forcing their withdrawal into Gundumi Forest and recovered a rifle. On 9 September 2026, troops foiled an attempted abduction of a senior nursing school staff member and his family at Yerima Quarters in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State, following a distress call.
On 6 September 2026, troops intercepted a truck at a checkpoint along the Gurbi-Zurmi Road in Jibia LGA of Katsina State, troops confiscated four motorcycles concealed within fuel and oil consignments destined for Zamfara State.The driver was arrested and currently undergoing investigation.
Follow-up exploitation on 7 September 2026 led to the arrest of 12 suspects and the recovery of additional exhibits. On 8 September 2026, troops arrested a suspect spying on troops location at Dange Market in Dange Shuni LGA of Sokoto State. The suspect had offered financial inducement in an attempt to evade arrest but met stiff resistance from our troops who refused and went ahead to apprehend him. On 9 September 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State. Troops discovered and confiscated radio equipment linked to a reprisal attack on locals. On 10 September 2026, troops intercepted a suspected ammunition courier along the Birnin Gwari Axis and recovered 300 rounds of ammunition concealed in her belongings.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD maintained a sustained presence in Niger State to consolidate earlier gains against terrorism. On 9 September 2026, troops on a fighting patrol at the outskirts of Dekara Village in Borgu LGA of Niger State, recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition apparently abandoned by terrorists who had earlier attacked the troops location on 21 August 2026. The recovered weapon is in troops’ custody.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations in Edo State. On 4 September 2026, troops conducted a raid at a Fulani camp within Sasaro/Agor Forest in Akoko-Edo LGA of Edo State. Troops arrested four suspected kidnappers. On 7 September 2026, troops, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and local security groups, engaged suspected kidnappers at a ransom collection point along Juju Junction, behind Ambrose Alli University in Esan West LGA of Edo State. The suspects abandoned their victims and fled into nearby bushes with a suspected gunshot wound.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
In the South East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against secessionist elements and armed criminality across Anambra and Enugu States. On 4 September 2026, troops conducted a raid at Chike Onochie Crescent along the Abakaliki Expressway in Enugu East LGA of Enugu State. Troops arrested two suspects who had been using their phones to plan attacks on security agencies within the State. On the same day, troops carried out a further raid at Gariki Akwata Market in Enugu East LGA of Enugu State. Troops arrested one suspect and recovered a locally made pistol and knives. On 7 September 2026, troops responded to a distress call at Umuoba Anam in Anambra West LGA of Anambra State, after a suspect was sighted in possession of a pistol. Troops discovered and confiscated a locally fabricated pistol from the suspects’ residence.
According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede commends the resolve of troops across all theatres of operations for these successes in neutralising terrorists, disrupting logistics and arms trafficking networks, securing the surrender of terrorist fighters and their families, and rescuing victims of kidnapping. He commends the sustained and invaluable collaboration between troops and other security agencies as well as other stakeholders, whose synergy continues to strengthen the nation’s collective response to terrorism, kidnapping and secessionist agitation. The CDS also commends the media for their continued professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations, and appeals to members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful and timely information to troops to further enhance the responses of the security aagencies nationwide. The AFN remains committed to sustaining the current tempo of operations and will continue to operate within its Code of Conduct, Rules of Engagements and in line with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other international best practices.
