Over 178 kidnapped victims were rescued by the troops of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Joint Task Force North Central OPERATION ENDURING PEACE and Joint Task Force North Central Operation WHIRL STROKE in January 2026 the Defence Headquarters has said.
The Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA alone rescued a total of 100 kidnapped victims in January this year ,2026, and neutralized a number of terrorists in fire fights .
The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja said 100 of the Kidnapped victims were rescued during troops offensive operations in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Kwara States and some parts of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained operational tempo throughout the month and neutralized significant number of terrorists while 52 others were arrested.
Offensive operations were conducted by troops in Anka, Birnin Magaji, Maru, Tsafe, Bungudu and Shinkafi LGAs of Zamfara State. Troops also conducted operations in Kankara, Dandume and Kurfi LGAs of Katsina State as well as Isa, Tangaza, Binji, Tureta and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State.
Other areas where offensive operations were conducted during the month include Doka, Kachia and Zaria LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Borgu and Zuru LGAs of Niger and Kebbi States respectively. “During these operations, several terrorists were neutralised, sixteen (16) of them were apprehended, while thirty five (35) kidnapped victims were rescued. Weapons, vehicles and livestock were recovered.”
Major General Onoja said that Air Interdiction Mission and Close Air Support Mission were deployed following a distress call for close air support to ground troops conducting a clearance operations at Chukuba Village in Shiroro LGA of Niger State and the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA provided close air support to the troops.
He explained that the location was scanned, observed and activities of terrorists were clearly visible. “Targets were acquired and engaged with cannons and battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized.
Offensive Operations were also carried out by the Joint Task Force North Central OPERATION ENDURING PEACE in the region particularly in Plateau State response to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in several sectors in January.
For instance, troops conducted offensive operations across Plateau and parts of Kaduna States. During the firefights, scores of extremists were neutralized, eighty six (86) other criminals were arrested, while twenty four (24) kidnapped victims were rescued. Arms and ammunition were recovered from them by the troops .
The offensive operations were conducted
in Kanam, Barkin Ladi, Qua’An Pan, Jos East, Bassa, Jos South, Bokkos and Wase LGAs of Plateau State. They also conducted operations in Jamaá and Zangon Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State.
During the firefights, some extremists were neutralized, eleven (11) other criminals were arrested, while (six) 6 kidnapped victims were rescued. Arms and ammunition were recovered from them. Recovered weapons are in troops’ custody for further action.
Notably, troops arrested a wanted kidnapper’s kingpin identified as Amadu Adamu in Jamaá LGA of Kaduna State.
Troops of the Joint Task Force North Central Operation WHIRL STROKE operating in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States also recorded some successes in their Area of Operational Responsibility.
Between 1 – 29 January 2026, troops conducted several offensive operations in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Taraba States as well as Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and neutralized several terrorists.
They arrested Fifty-eight (58) terrorists and rescued thirty-two (32) kidnapped victims who were held captive. The troops recovered Arms and ammunition from the terrorists .
Similarly, during the month, troops conducted several offensive operations in Jalingo and Ardo Kola LGAs of Taraba State as well as Kabba Bunu, Yagba west and Yagba East LGAs of Kogi State as well as Oyun LGA of Kwara State.
Similarly, they responded to distress calls on kidnapping activities in Gwer West and Logo LGAs of Benue State. Others are Doma and Lafia LGAs of Nasarawa State as well as Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the FCT. During these operations, troops arrested twenty-nine (29) criminals, while nine (9) kidnapped victims were rescued. Several weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.