Nigerian troops foil terror plot near Niger border, rescue 32 kidnap victims

Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have thwarted an attempt by suspected terrorists to sabotage infrastructure belonging to the Nigerian Immigration Service near the border with the Republic of Niger, as military operations across several states recorded fresh successes against criminal and insurgent elements.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Micheal Onoja, disclosed the development while briefing journalists on recent military activities conducted across the country.

According to Onoja, two suspected terrorists were killed on May 14, 2026, during an operation in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State after they allegedly attempted to attack immigration infrastructure close to the Niger Republic border.

“On 14 May 2026, two terrorists were neutralised in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State while attempting to sabotage Nigerian Immigration Service infrastructure near the Republic of Niger,” Onoja stated.

The military spokesman also revealed that troops operating a snap checkpoint in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State arrested a suspected terrorist on May 8.

The suspect was reportedly found in possession of incriminating photographs and ammunition magazines believed to be linked to terrorist activities.

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In another major operation conducted the same day, troops launched an offensive raid on Dikawa village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, leading to the killing of two terrorists and the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims held inside what the military described as a fortified terrorist enclave.

Onoja said the rescued victims comprised nine men, 10 women and 13 children.

“On the same day, a major offensive at Dikawa village in Matazu LGA of Katsina State neutralised two terrorists and produced one of the most significant humanitarian outcomes of the period, which is the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims comprising nine men, ten women, and thirteen children, alongside 26 livestock, from a fortified terrorist enclave,” he said.

The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that troops intercepted an illegal arms trafficking operation within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to Onoja, a suspect was arrested on May 3 along the Abaji-Kwali Road in Abuja after security operatives discovered 250 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition concealed inside the engine compartment of a vehicle.

“On 3 May 2026, a suspect was apprehended along the Abaji-Kwali road in Abuja, found to have concealed 250 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition within a vehicle’s engine compartment.

“This arrest exposed the calculated mechanisms through which illegal arms are trafficked within the country,” he stated.

The military also reported a successful kidnap intervention operation in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where troops recovered an AK-47 rifle from suspected kidnappers during a rescue mission.

One of the most significant breakthroughs recorded during the period, according to the Defence Headquarters, was the dismantling of an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Plateau State.

Onoja explained that troops of the Quick Reaction Force carried out coordinated raids on two active production sites in Vom, located in Jos South Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of five suspects allegedly involved in the local fabrication of firearms.

“The most strategically significant operation of this phase was the dismantling of an illegal arms manufacturing complex in Vom, Jos South LGA, where a Quick Reaction Force raid on two active production sites resulted in the arrest of five suspects in the act of producing illegal firearms,” he said.

Items recovered from the illegal factory included nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, seven AK-47 skeletons, four recoiling springs, four revolver engines, as well as drilling, welding and filing equipment used in weapon production.