THE WEEK: Military operations across the Northeast, Northwest and North‑Central freed hostages, disrupted kidnapping networks and saw insurgent factions turn their guns on each other, highlighting a volatile security landscape.
By Ezinwanne Onwuka
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s military says it killed 324 terrorists and other armed actors, rescued 610 kidnapped civilians and recorded 201 insurgent surrenders in August, a month marked by militant infighting in the Northeast, deadly raids in the Northwest and large‑scale hostage rescues in the North‑Central region.
The operations underscore both the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges and the intensity of ongoing counterinsurgency campaigns.
NORTHEAST: Boko Haram and ISWAP Turn Their Guns on Each Other
Some of Nigeria’s most dangerous militants spent part of last week hunting one another.
More than 23 fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, were reportedly killed in renewed fighting inside the Sambisa Forest in Borno State on Friday, Sept. 4, according to security sources cited by counterinsurgency analyst Zagazola Makama.
The fighting centered around the Chingolo axis of Bama County, where Boko Haram fighters reportedly attacked ISWAP members moving into the area.
The two groups have been bitter rivals for years, competing for territory, weapons, food, fighters and access routes across northeastern Nigeria. Their rivalry has periodically erupted into battles that add another layer of violence to a region already under sustained military pressure.
The latest clash reportedly began after ISWAP fighters moved into the Chingolo area, prompting Boko Haram fighters already operating there to attack.
The fighting developed into sustained exchanges of gunfire as both sides sought to hold their positions and prevent the other faction from expanding its influence inside the forest.
The reported casualty figure could not be independently verified, and the number of fighters killed from either faction remained unclear.
Zagazola Makama said the situation remained fluid as both groups attempted to reposition and reinforce their fighters.
NORTHWEST: Seven Killed in Sokoto Raid as Gunfire Rocks Funtua
On Thursday, Sept. 3, armed men invaded Girkau, Dukura and Jabga communities in Kebbe County, Sokoto state, killing at least five people, according to police. Residents reported two additional deaths, bringing the reported toll to seven.
Police confirmed five deaths and three injuries in Girkau and said cattle were rustled. Residents reported additional deaths in Dukura and Jabga, as well as abductions.
One of those reportedly abducted was a vigilante member whose locally made firearm the attackers seized.
Residents said the attackers arrived in large numbers and moved through different parts of the communities.
“They came in large numbers and moved from one part of the community to another,” one resident told PUNCH.
Another resident said the gunmen remained in Girkau for several hours. “They spent hours in the community and moved around freely. They eventually left with many cattle,” the resident said.
The attack came amid reports that bandits had imposed a ₦40 million, or about $30,000, levy on communities in the area.
Police did not confirm the reported levy but said security agencies were responding to the threat and working with local communities.
The week’s less deadly but unsettling violence came in Funtua, Katsina state’s commercial city.
At about 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, gunfire erupted around Kasuwar Mata, Dandaji and the Sokoto Bye-Pass corridor. Residents reported hearing gunshots from different directions for nearly two hours.
Businesses closed. Motorists disappeared from the streets. Families stayed indoors as the sound of gunfire moved through parts of the town.
There were no confirmed reports of mass casualties or abductions from the incident. For residents, however, the shooting was enough to bring normal commercial activity to a halt.
NORTHCENTRAL: Soldiers Rescue 21 Hostages From Kogi Forest
Nigerian troops and other security personnel rescued 21 hostages from the Egume-Ochaja forest in Dekina County, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, Nigeria’s compulsory national service program for young graduates.
The corps members had been traveling from Abuja toward Bayelsa State on Wednesday, Aug. 26, when armed men intercepted vehicles along the highway and forced passengers into the surrounding forest.
The rescue operation brought together troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, police officers, Department of State Services personnel, local hunters and vigilantes.
The security team tracked the kidnappers into the forest and engaged them in a gun battle.
Four suspected members of the kidnapping gang were killed, while others escaped with reported gunshot wounds.
All 21 hostages were rescued — eight males and 13 females, including the 15 corps members.
The rescue was part of a broader pattern of military operations against kidnapping networks across the country.
Military Operations Free 36 Kidnap Victims
The Defence Headquarters reported that troops rescued 36 abducted persons in operations conducted between Monday, Aug. 31, and Thursday, Sept. 3. The 36 included six victims rescued in Kebbi, 23 in Zamfara and two in Katsina, while five others were rescued in Niger State.
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, troops rescued six abducted people in Mehinua village, Wasagu County in Kebbi State.
The following day, troops rescued 23 civilians — three men and 20 women — from the outskirts of Wuya in Anka County, Zamfara State. The military said they had spent about three weeks in captivity and were evacuated for medical treatment.
Troops also rescued two abducted victims along the Dandume-Birnin Gwari Road in Sabuwa, Katsina State.
In Niger State, five male kidnap victims were rescued from farms along the Kotonkoro-Bangi Road in Mariga.
324 Terrorists Killed as 201 Insurgents Surrender in August
The Nigerian military also released its operational figures for August.
The Defence Headquarters said Nigerian forces killed 324 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 373 suspects and rescued 610 kidnapped victims during the month.
It also reported 201 insurgent surrenders. The surrender figure increased sharply from 57 in July and 11 in June.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which covers much of the Northwest, reported 190 terrorists killed, 47 arrests and 126 rescued kidnap victims during August.
In the Northeast, Operation HADIN KAI reported 114 terrorists killed, 146 arrests and 60 rescued victims, while also recording 201 terrorist surrenders and their family members.
The military also reported recovering 88 weapons and 2,077 rounds of ammunition during the month.
Ezinwanne Onwuka is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
