A northern-based peace advocacy group, the Northern Alliance for Peace and Security, has commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Nigerian Armed Forces for what it described as sustained successes in ongoing military operations against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping across parts of the country.
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‎The group said the recent rescue of hundreds of abducted persons and the neutralisation of scores of armed criminals reflect the military’s renewed offensive against violent groups operating in different regions of Nigeria.
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‎In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the National President of the group, Mallam Danladi Abutu, said the recent gains demonstrated the commitment of the Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS to improving security and restoring public confidence.
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‎His remarks come amid intensified military operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, particularly in the North-East and North-West, where insecurity has continued to claim lives, displace communities and disrupt economic activities. Kidnapping for ransom has also spread to other parts of the country in recent years, prompting renewed calls for stronger security measures.
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‎Among the recent operations cited by the group was the rescue of 14 of the 15 worshippers abducted during a night vigil at a church in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on April 28, 2026. The victims regained their freedom on Saturday after spending more than 67 days in captivity and were subsequently taken to the State Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
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‎The group also referenced the rescue of 416 residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, who had been abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists before they were freed by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.
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‎Similarly, it noted the rescue of 11 women who were kidnapped while fishing in Dille community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, describing the operation as another indication of the military’s determination to protect vulnerable communities.
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‎Abutu said the recent operations should reassure Nigerians that the security forces remain committed to defeating criminal elements across the country.
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‎”These gains mirror the commitment of the CDS and his men to make Nigeria safe for all. What we have witnessed in the past few weeks is an indication of the battle readiness of our gallant troops to make life difficult for these terrorist elements.
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‎”The security situation is of a huge concern to every well-meaning Nigerians. We must join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that the war against banditry is successfully prosecuted.
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‎”What the Federal Government has done through the gallant troops is a message to the terrorists that they can never win this war. They will lose because every Nigerian deserves to live and work in peace everywhere he or she chooses to live in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” he added.
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‎Abutu also appealed to Nigerians to support ongoing security operations by volunteering credible intelligence to security agencies, arguing that community cooperation remains vital to defeating criminal networks.
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‎He particularly condemned attacks on schools and the abduction of students, describing such acts as an assault on the country’s future.
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‎”Why do you think they are attacking schools and abducting our children? Education is the bedrock of any society desirous of growth and progress. We must not allow the enemies of our beloved country to continue their evil enterprise. We may not be armed but volunteering information to security agencies is a sign of patriotism,” Abutu added.
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‎Nigeria has continued to battle multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, as well as rising incidents of kidnapping in several parts of the country. In response, the Armed Forces have sustained coordinated land and air operations targeting terrorist enclaves, while also conducting rescue missions for kidnapped victims and clearing operations aimed at restoring normalcy in affected communities.
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‎Recent military offensives have led to the rescue of abductees, the recovery of weapons and the dismantling of several criminal hideouts, although security experts maintain that sustained intelligence gathering and stronger community collaboration remain critical to consolidating the gains.