RismadarVoice Reporters, August 5, 2026
Nigerian Army troops have rescued 16 kidnapped victims, recovered 281 rustled livestock and arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in coordinated operations across Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara and Plateau states.
The operations, conducted within the past 24 hours, also resulted in the interception of suspected Boko Haram family members and the recovery of substances suspected to be hard drugs, mobile phones and other items allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, troops of 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of Boko Haram insurgents along the Gezuwa axis in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The group comprised nine women, two men and nine children.
The Army said the suspects claimed to have fled the Gezuwa terrorist camp following an attack by rival ISWAP fighters. They were subsequently handed over to military authorities for further profiling.
In Geidam, Yobe State, troops arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators accused of supplying hard drugs to terrorists.
Items recovered from the suspects included substances suspected to be cannabis, 11 mobile phones and N14,530 in cash.
In Monguno, Borno State, two suspected logistics suppliers to ISWAP were also arrested.
The Army said the suspects allegedly confessed to transporting food items to terrorists in Kukawa and were found with mobile phones, an assault knife, an ISWAP gate pass and N6,600.
Troops also rescued a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped by terrorists since November 2025 in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
She was reunited with her family after receiving medical attention.
In Sokoto State, troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 14 kidnapped victims and recovered 281 rustled livestock and two motorcycles after engaging terrorists in Shagari Local Government Area.
Separate operations in Sabon Birni, Sokoto State, and Zurmi, Zamfara State, also forced terrorists to abandon two kidnapped victims.
One of the victims, who sustained gunshot wounds, was evacuated to a hospital for treatment.
The military also reported the arrest in Plateau State of a suspect allegedly linked to attacks in Southern Kaduna.
In Mangu, troops rescued injured farmers who had reportedly been attacked by suspected herders and recovered 27 cattle allegedly abandoned by fleeing attackers.
The Army said 19 suspects were arrested during follow-up operations in Riyom following an ambush in which two soldiers were killed.
The military said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, rescue victims of kidnapping, recover stolen livestock and strengthen security across affected communities.
