Troops of Sector 9 Operation Enduring Peace deployed in Namu Town, Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau State on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, conducted a deliberate offensive operation leading to the rescue of 8 kidnapped victims at Pandam Forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

This was contained in a press statement signed by Captain Chinonso Oteh, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, and made available to journalists in Jos the State Capital.

According to him, “The operation, conducted at approximately 3:00am following credible intelligence regarding the presence of kidnappers in the forest, highlights the troops’ unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security as well as the protection of citizens across Operation Enduring Peace Joint Operations Area.” 

“During the operation, troops engaged in a firefight with the suspected kidnappers, who fired sporadically in an attempt to withdraw.” 

“Utilising the ensuing chaos, 3 of the kidnapped victims managed to escape earlier from the kidnapper’s custody. 

“Subsequent exploitation and thorough combing of the forest by the troops led to the rescue of an additional 5 abducted victims, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to 8.” 

“The rescued victims are currently in safe condition and efforts are ongoing to unite them with their respective families”, he explained.

Additionally, “this successful operation has been highly applauded by members of the local communities who indicated willingness to continue to provide useful information to ensure the arrest of the kidnappers.” 

“Troops are currently on pursuit to apprehend or neutralise fleeing kidnappers. Operation Enduring Peace appreciates the citizens for their cooperation and calls for more support in disrupting criminal elements and restoring the desired peace across the Joint Operations Area”, Oteh maintained.

No fewer than 11 family members of suspected Boko Haram fighters, comprising five women and six children, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the surrender took place at about 6:00pm. on June 24, 2026, at separate locations in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of the state.

Makama said four women and four children from Chongolo village voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, while another woman and two children from Ladantar surrendered to troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction.

The report stated that preliminary profiling conducted by the military indicated that the 11 individuals are family members of suspected Boko Haram fighters who reportedly fled insurgent enclaves in search of safety.

“Preliminary profiling revealed that all 11 individuals are family members of Boko Haram terrorists who fled insurgent enclaves in search of safety,” he said.

According to the report, after documentation and profiling by the troops, the surrendered individuals were handed over to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camp in Bama for further processing and rehabilitation in line with established procedures.

Makama further disclosed that the surrender forms part of what military sources described as the continuing wave of defections from terrorist enclaves amid sustained military operations under Operation Hadin Kai.

The report added that troops remain on alert across the theatre of operations as counter-insurgency efforts continue in the North-East.

Two police officers have been killed during a security operation that led to the rescue of nine kidnapped victims in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State Police Command said the victims were rescued after security operatives responded to intelligence reports that armed bandits had abducted several farmers in Unguwan Sa’idu village on June 24.

 According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, police personnel, including operatives of the Police Mobile Force and the Kaduna Vigilance Service, were mobilised to the area, where they engaged the bandits in a gun battle. 

The superior firepower of the security team forced the bandits to flee into nearby bushes, abandoning their captives. 

The operatives subsequently rescued nine victims, who were found tied up and left behind by the attackers.

 However, tragedy struck as the security team returned from the operation.

 The officers were ambushed by suspected bandits who had laid in wait along the route,two policemen sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died in the line of duty. 

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commiserated with the families and colleagues of the slain officers, describing them as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation. 

The police said investigation and tactical operations were ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack.