Security Forces Rescue 62 Captives, Neutralise Militants in Northwest Nigeria

Story: written by Daniel January 22,2026
Nigerian troops have freed 62 abducted victims and killed two militants during coordinated security operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states, as the military intensifies its crackdown on armed groups terrorising the northwest.

The region has witnessed a sharp rise in mass abductions, with criminal gangs operating from forest camps targeting villages, schools and religious centres. One of the most recent high-profile incidents was the January 18 kidnapping of over 160 worshippers from two churches in Kaduna State.

Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, said troops raided a known bandit enclave in Zamfara after intelligence reports confirmed that hostages were being held there. All 62 captives were successfully rescued and are currently in the custody of security agencies, with arrangements ongoing to reunite them with their families.

In a separate operation, soldiers ambushed suspected Lakurawa militants near the border between Kebbi State’s Augie Local Government Area and neighbouring Sokoto State, following credible intelligence on their movements. Two militants were killed during the encounter, the army said.

Nigeria’s security situation has recently drawn international attention, including comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused the country of failing to adequately protect Christians from Islamist militants in parts of the northwest. On Christmas Day, U.S. forces reportedly carried out strikes against Islamic State-linked targets in the region.

The Nigerian government has rejected claims of religious persecution, maintaining that military operations are aimed at dismantling criminal and extremist groups that attack both Christian and Muslim communities.

According to the army, the latest operations are part of sustained efforts to break armed networks responsible for kidnappings and persistent insecurity across northwest Nigeria.