Nigerian Army troops have rescued 26 suspected human trafficking victims in Benue, freed a kidnapped woman in Kogi and arrested a suspected terrorist leader in Kaduna during separate security operations.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 26 suspected victims of human trafficking in Benue State and freed a kidnapped woman in Kogi State, while a suspected terrorist leader was arrested in Kaduna State during separate security operations.
The operations also resulted in the recovery of firearms and ammunition and the arrest of suspected criminals in several states, according to an operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
In Benue State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working alongside the police and local vigilantes, raided a suspected human trafficking syndicate in Otukpo Local Government Area on Friday.
The operation led to the arrest of one suspect and the rescue of 26 suspected victims. The victims and the arrested suspect were subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.
In Kaduna State, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested a suspected terrorist leader, identified as Yusuf Iliya San, at Maraban Kakini on Saturday.
The report alleged that the suspect was linked to several criminal activities in the Birnin Gwari area. He remained in military custody for further action as of the time of the report.
The troops also repelled an attack by suspected terrorists along the Dogon Dawa-Takama axis in Birnin Gwari on Saturday.
According to the report, the attackers fled after troops engaged them, abandoning an AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles and a mobile phone.
One soldier was wounded during the encounter and evacuated for medical attention.
In Kogi State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working with forest guards, rescued a kidnapped woman at Ette in Olamaboro Local Government Area on Friday.
The report said the kidnappers fled upon sighting the troops, enabling the rescued woman to be reunited with her family.
In a separate operation along the Okene-Okpella road in Kogi State, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle magazine, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and other items.
Meanwhile, in Abia State, troops working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested three suspected drug dealers during a raid at Obehie in Ukwa West Local Government Area on Friday.
The suspects and the recovered illicit substances were handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and other necessary action.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace reported that a vigilante member was killed by suspected kidnappers in Magi Mbar village, Bokkos Local Government Area, on Friday.
The assailants reportedly fled upon sighting the troops, while efforts to apprehend them continued.
The military said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, human trafficking, drug-related offences and other criminal activities across the country.
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