Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have killed 25 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during an attempted attack on Kukawa, Borno State, rescued 20 abducted prospective corps members in Imo State and neutralised a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on military operations conducted between October 2 and 8, 2026.
Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by the Air Component, repelled an ISWAP attack on Kukawa on the night of October 6, with the engagement extending into the following morning.
The troops recovered six AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, 797 rounds of PKT ammunition, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs, an anti-tank bomb and other equipment.
He said troops also rescued several abductees in Borno State, including two women in Gwoza Local Government Area, while three escapees from Cameroon were handed over to Cameroonian security personnel.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA killed 10 suspected Lakurawa terrorists during an encounter in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7.
The attackers, who reportedly arrived on more than 100 motorcycles and carried machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, fled after the engagement, abandoning 17 motorcycles, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication device.
The military also reported the rescue of a seven-year-old boy abducted in Kaduna State and found in Katsina State, alongside other operations targeting kidnappers and suspected terrorist collaborators.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October 1. A woman abducted while travelling to the market was also rescued at Ndegwu community in Owerri West Local Government Area on October 7.
Onoja said search operations were continuing to apprehend the perpetrators.
In another major operation, a joint security team neutralised Abdussamad Ohida, identified by the military as a senior ISWAP commander, during an operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2.
The military alleged that Ohida had been planning large-scale attacks on civilians in some southern states ahead of the festive season.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE discovered three illegal refining sites in Okarki Forest, Rivers State, and recovered about 2,500 litres of suspected stolen Premium Motor Spirit in Eleme Local Government Area.
The military also reported arrests and arms recoveries in Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna and Katsina states during the period under review.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their efforts and urged them to remain vigilant as the festive season approaches.
He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies and urged community leaders and residents to report individuals supporting terrorists and other criminal groups.
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