By Atlantic Reports

The Defence Headquarters says troops rescued at least 50 abducted people during operations across Nigeria between 2 and 8 October, including 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, also reported that troops killed 36 people described as terrorists and arrested several suspected fighters and collaborators.

The operational claims and casualty figures have not been independently verified.

Prospective corps members rescued in Imo

Onoja said troops of Operation Udo Ka, working with other security agencies, rescued 20 prospective corps members abducted along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway.

He said the victims were recovered at Ndegwu Community in Owerri West Local Government Area following sustained pressure on their abductors.

A woman abducted while travelling to a market was also rescued, according to the statement.

In the North-West, Onoja reported the rescue of 18 kidnapping victims in Katsina and a seven-year-old boy abducted in Kaduna.

He said troops in the North-East rescued other abductees, including three people who had been held for seven years. The statement did not provide details of their captivity or their condition after rescue.

Military reports fighting in Borno and Kebbi

Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 26 alleged terrorists during engagements in Borno and Yobe. These included 25 fighters who, according to the military, attempted to infiltrate Kukawa town in Borno.

He also reported arrests of suspected collaborators, logistics suppliers and smugglers in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

In Kebbi, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma reportedly killed 10 fighters identified by the military as members of Lakurawa during an encounter in Maiyama Local Government Area.

Onoja said troops recovered 17 motorcycles, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication device.

Ondo operation raises question over overall toll

The statement separately reported that a combined security team killed Abdussamad Ohida in Owo forest, Ondo State, on 2 October.

Onoja identified Ohida as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), saying he had assumed leadership of its Central Nigeria network after the Department of State Services arrested the previous leader in 2023.

The military alleged that Ohida had been planning large-scale attacks in some southern states ahead of the festive season.

The 26 reported deaths in the North-East and 10 in Kebbi account for the military’s stated total of 36. The statement did not clarify whether Ohida’s reported killing was included in that figure or counted separately.

Arrests and recoveries in other regions

In the North-Central, Onoja said troops of Operation Savannah Shield arrested a man described as a wanted terrorist in Niger State and assisted three people who had escaped their abductors in a forest in Kwara.

He said Operation Enduring Peace troops arrested two suspected kidnappers in Kaduna, while Operation Whirl Stroke recovered illegal firearms and ammunition during raids in Taraba.

In Rivers State, troops of Operation Delta Safe reportedly discovered three illegal refining sites and recovered about 2,500 litres of suspected stolen Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops and urged continued vigilance ahead of the festive season.

Oluyede also called for stronger cooperation among security agencies and encouraged community leaders and residents to report people suspected of supporting armed groups.

The statement did not provide a complete breakdown of the reported rescues or disclose the number of suspects arrested across all operations.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.