I remember when Yahaya Bello was Governor of Kogi State. Some b@nd!ts k!dn@pped people in a community, and there was an uproar across the state. The man did not shout. He did not cry. He simply sent his local security men to go after them and k!dn@p the families of those b@nd!ts and bring them to him.
They carried out his order. They brought the b@nd!ts' families aged and young alike to him.
From Government House, he placed a call across to the kidn@pp£rs and told them: "Your families are here with me. I am giving you 24 hours to release those you have k!dn@pped. If you refuse, your entire family will pay with their lives and you will still be hunted down and k!11ed."
Before the 24 hours elapsed, all the k!dn@pped victims were released. And the b@nd!ts never dared to k!dnap in the state again until he left office. Those who later attempted to carry out an attack in the state paid heavily with their lives.
Governor Usman Ododo is now treading that same path with his recent actions.
Department of state service (DSS) counterterrorism operations unit. Unlike the STATT unit, they are more engaged in direct action against terrorists. In July 2025 they alongside the army eliminated 45 terrorists after receiving Intel of a pending attack in shiroro Niger state
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Terrorism Trial: Katsina Court Sentences Arms Courier Hauwa'u Mukhtar To Death By Hanging
A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced another female arms courier to death by hanging after the D
DSS successfully prosecuted her for conspiracy to commit terrorism and aiding and abetting terrorism.
The convict, Hauwa'u Mukhtar, was arrested by the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park, Katsina State, while attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to one Ado, a notorious bandit kingpin operating within Dunburum Forest, Zamfara State.
VIDEO🎥: A team led by the Commander, 12 Brigade Lokoja, Brigadier General Karim Sidi stormed the deep forest near Iluke, Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State to exhume the body of notorious bandit kingpin, Ibrahim Battijo, for an autopsy.
Battijo was neutralized during a failed mass abduction attempt targeting WAEC students in Iluke on June 10, 2026.
The creation of the ONSA elite unit by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (@NuhuRibadu) has proving to be one of the best decision, they are surgical, equipped and effective in the fight against terrorism.
That unit shows that if Nigeria invest more on security forces capacity building, they will get it right
NIGERIAN ARMY, ONSA TACTICAL TEAM NEUTRALISE OVER 15 TERRORISTS, INCLUDING TOP LEADER KACHALLA IBRAHIM BATTIJO, IN KOGI STATE
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the ONSA Tactical Team, have neutralised over 15 terrorists, including wanted kingpin Kachalla Ibrahim Battijo, during an intelligence-led operation in Kogi State.
Battijo, identified as the mastermind of the recent church attack in Eruku, Kwara State, was killed on 10 June 2026 during a foiled kidnapping attempt. The operation dismantled key elements of his network and dealt a major blow to terrorist and kidnapping activities in the North Central region. Follow-up clearance operations led to the recovery of more than 15 terrorist bodies, including gang members who attempted to flee after the initial encounter.
Furthermore, on 15 June 2026 a team from the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, led by Brigadier General Karim Sidi, later exhumed Battijo’s body for autopsy in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. Brigadier General Sidi commended the support of the ONSA, noting that its intelligence and operational assistance contributed significantly to the success of the operation.
Also, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, while briefing NSA Nuhu Ribadu on Monday, disclosed that the operation was driven by actionable intelligence and advanced surveillance assets used to track Battijo and his associates. Intelligence gathered during the operation also uncovered a plot to attack and abduct students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
The operation not only eliminated a high-value terrorist target and weakened his network but also foiled a planned attack on students, highlighting the effectiveness of intelligence-driven security operations.
OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA: TROOPS OVERWHELM LAKURAWA TERRORISTS IN KEBBI STATE, RECOVER HEAVY CALIBRE WEAPONS AND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES
Troops of Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA operating in Kebbi State have recovered massive high calibre weapons and improvised explosive devices In a sustained and decisive effort to rid the North-West region of terrorism and criminal elements,
The successful offensive operation, took place on 14 June 2026 around the Dogon Daji general area in Dandi Local Government Area of the State. During the operation,the gallant troops brought superior firepower to bear on the Lakurawa Terrorist Group, decisively overwhelming the terrorists and forcing them to flee.
A follow-on aggressive pursuit along the terrorists' withdrawal routes led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, explosives and logistics equipment abandoned by the fleeing elements.
Items recovered from the terrorists camp included Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launch tubes, Several Rocket-Propelled Grenades (Warheads),
Multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 2 motorcycles utilized by the terrorists for mobility and battery chargers and various personal belongings. The troops emerged from the engagement unscathed, with zero casualties recorded.
The operational success underscores the unwavering commitment of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to dismantling terrorist and bandit networks across the region. The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining offensive pressure on these criminal elements, denying them freedom of action and disrupting their nefarious activities to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens.
OLANIYI OSOBA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations
8 Division Nigerian Army / Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA
15 June 2026
DHQ PRESS RELEASE
TROOPS RESCUE WIFE OF FORMER DIRECTOR DEFENCE INFORMATION FROM BANDITS
Troops of the Nigerian Army with the support of the Nigerian Air Force have successfully rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar and former Director Defence Information, who was abducted by bandits alongside her husband a few weeks ago.
The rescue operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts conducted by troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA. During sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements, troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga Village, leading to the successful recovery of Mrs Abubakar.
In the course of the encounter, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing due to the overwhelming pressure from advancing troops.
Mrs Abubakar was immediately evacuated and is currently receiving medical attention at a military hospital, where she is responding to treatment.
The leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to ensuring her full recovery and is providing all necessary support to her family during this difficult period.
Troops will continue ongoing operations to track down and neutralise the perpetrators, while intensifying efforts to rid affected communities of terrorists not just in Katsina but in the entire nation.
SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director Defence Information
15 June 2026
TROOPS APPREHEND 46 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN OGUN STATE
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with DSS, NSCDC and Immigration, have apprehended 46 suspected illegal immigrants residing in Ogun State following actionable intelligence.
The operation which commenced on 11 June 2026, led to the arrest of the suspects at various locations within Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ilese and surrounding communities during a targeted security operation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had allegedly been residing in the state for approximately six months without valid immigration documentation.
During interrogation, the suspects claimed to be merchants and workers affiliated with QNet, an online marketing platform involved in the sale of various commodities.
The arrested individuals comprise 18 nationals of Burkina Faso, 23 nationals of Côte d'Ivoire, 4 nationals of Togo and 1 national of Senegal. Among them are 36 males and 10 females.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ogun State Command, for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in accordance with extant laws.
Speaking on the operation, the Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Friday Oguche Onu, commended the troops and collaborating security agencies for their professionalism and vigilance. He also urged residents to remain security conscious and promptly report suspicious activities and individuals to relevant security agencies.
The successful operation underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to combating illegal migration, enhancing internal security, and safeguarding national interests.
Idereghi Samuel Akari
Major
Assistant Director Army Public Relations
35 Artillery Brigade
14 June 2026
OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA: TROOPS DESTROY TERRORIST HIDEOUTS AS OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS COMMENCE IN KATSINA STATE
Troops of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY) have commenced a deliberate offensive operation, code-named Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, targeting terrorist and bandit elements operating within Matazu Local Government Area and adjoining communities in Katsina State.
The operation was launched following the unfortunate incident that led to the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists and bandits in the area. The operation is aimed at locating and neutralizing the perpetrators of the heinous act, dismantling criminal networks and restoring security within the affected communities.
Since the commencement of the operation on 14 June 2026, troops have conducted aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions across identified criminal hideouts and suspected terrorist enclaves within the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
In the course of the ongoing offensive, troops recorded notable successes in the Dikkawa Hills general area and surrounding communities. Troops conducted clearance operations on identified terrorist hideouts in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa areas, where several criminal enclaves were searched and combed. During the operations, terrorists' life-support structures and logistics bases were discovered and destroyed, further degrading the criminals' ability to operate within the area.
The operation is being conducted in close collaboration with sister services, other security agencies and local stakeholders whose support continues to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts aimed at improving security within the state.
The Theatre Command JTF OPFY wishes to reassure the good people of Matazu Local Government Area and neighbouring communities that troops remain committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of action within the region.
Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending terrorists and criminal elements. All information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Troops will continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements until the operational objectives are fully achieved.
Further updates will be provided as the operation progresses.
ALIYU DANJA
Lieutenant Colonel
Media Information Officer
Joint Task Force (North West)
Operation FANSAN YAMMA
15 June 2026
TROOPS DEALS MAJOR BLOW TO TERROR NETWORKS: 27 KILLED, SUSPECTS ARRESTED, HOSTAGES FREED IN NATIONWIDE SWEEP
Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded significant operational gains across multiple theatres, neutralising 27 terrorists, arresting 10 suspected criminals, rescuing 8 kidnapped victims and recovering arms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other logistics in coordinated nationwide operations conducted over the past 48 hours.
The operations, driven by credible intelligence and executed through joint land and air efforts, spanned Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The successes highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, curb kidnapping and restrict the operational capacity of criminal elements.
In the North East, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out precision air interdiction missions targeting terrorist strongholds in the Tumbuns area of Borno State. Battle damage assessments and human intelligence confirmed the elimination of 27 terrorists. This includes 12 insurgents neutralised during a strike on Dawoshe in Kukawa Local Government Area and 15 others killed in a separate precision engagement at Metele in Guzamala Local Government Area.
Ground troops in Borno also apprehended a suspected terrorist along the Mandara Girau Sabon Gari axis in Biu Local Government Area. Recovered items included a cache of supplies believed to be destined for insurgents, such as food items, communication devices, blankets, herbicides and batteries. Also, In a separate incident near Kareto, troops foiled a kidnapping attempt and successfully rescued 6 civilians comprising three men and three women without injury.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a suspected kidnapper and cattle rustler during a raid in Bokkos Local Government Area. Items recovered from the suspect include ammunition, an AK-47 magazine, a laptop, a mobile phone and military-pattern clothing. In a related operation in Jos South Local Government Area, 4 suspected criminals were apprehended in possession of a fabricated pistol and ammunition.
Further successes were recorded in Nasarawa State, where troops rescued two kidnapped victims after their captors fled on sighting advancing forces. Follow-up operations led to the discovery of a criminal hideout based on intelligence provided by an arrested suspect. Recovered items included a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, communication devices, foreign and local currencies and ₦1.8 million suspected to be proceeds of crime.
In the Federal Capital Territory, troops acting on actionable intelligence intercepted two suspected carjackers along the Abuja–Lokoja Highway. A stolen Mercedes-Benz E350 vehicle was recovered. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had forcefully taken the vehicle in Abuja and were attempting to transport it out of the city for sale.
Meanwhile, in the South-South region, troops conducting anti-crude oil theft operations in Akwa Ibom State recovered approximately 325 litres of suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), concealed in sacks within a bush in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. The recovered products have been handed over to the appropriate authorities.
These operational achievements highlight the effectiveness of intelligence-led and joint operations in degrading terrorist and criminal networks nationwide. We reaffirmed our commitment to sustaining offensive actions to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and ensure a secure environment for citizens.
The public is here by urged to continue their relentless support to ongoing operations through timely and credible information which are critical force multiplier in the ongoing effort to achieve lasting peace and national security.