The key facts

  • From November 6 to 12, 125 kidnapped people were freed, eight terrorists killed, and 12 surrendered along with their families
  • Largest operation: 119 travellers abducted on November 6 on the Dutsen-Kura—Buladzarma—Kamuya road in Borno State
  • Ten suspected accomplices and suppliers were arrested; in Zamfara State a driver abducted along with passengers was found dead

Weekly operations results

Nigeria's Defence Headquarters summed up the results of military operations carried out across the country from November 6 to 12. According to Major General Michael Onoja, the director of media operations at the defence ministry, the troops freed 125 kidnapped people, eight terrorists were killed, and another 12 militants surrendered together with members of their families. In addition, ten people suspected of aiding armed groups and supplying them were arrested.

Largest rescue — in Borno State

The largest operation took place in the north-east of the country. On November 6, 119 travellers were abducted on the Dutsen-Kura—Buladzarma—Kamuya road in the Biu area of Borno State. The military pursued the attackers along the Mangari—Dora road, forcing them to abandon their captives. Among those freed were 69 men, 35 women and 15 children. Improvised explosive devices were also discovered in the area.

Other regions and the overall situation

In the north-western state of Zamfara, soldiers freed five kidnapped people in separate operations, and three more victims were rescued after an attack on travellers on the Kombo—Gurusu road in the Bukkuyum area. The military reported that the driver, abducted along with the passengers, was found dead. Operations were also carried out in the states of Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara and Oyo: troops raided suspected hideouts, seized weapons and ammunition, and destroyed camps of armed groups. In Niger State, in the Kainji Lake National Park, the military neutralised five improvised explosive devices, repelled two attacks and killed two suspected terrorists. Kidnapping for ransom remains one of the country's main security problems, especially in the northern regions, where highways and rural communities are regularly attacked.