* Police rescue 10 kidnap victims in Imo
* Security agencies have intensified intelligence-led operations under Tinubu, says group
By Hosea Parah
The fight against insecurity in Nigeria is steadily gathering momentum, with news of success from the security agencies.
This follows the killing of scores of terrorists and recovered assorted arms and ammunition during operations in Adamawa State by troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.
The operations were conducted between September 30 and October 1 across the Sector 4 Area of Operations in the state.
According to a statement on Thursday by Mohammed Goni, acting spokesman for the JTF, the troops recorded successes through a ground ambush, a precision air strike, and defensive operations against terrorist attacks.
Goni said troops conducted a coordinated ambush against a terrorist enclave in the Boima general area of Gombi council area, neutralising 16 terrorists.
He said the troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges.
Goni added that the Air Component of OPHK also conducted a precision air strike in the early hours of October 1.
According to him, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform at about 4:40 a.m. detected about 16 terrorists assembling with 15 motorcycles under a tree canopy in Sector 4.
“Following positive identification and target acquisition, a precision air interdiction was executed at about 5:30 a.m., recording a direct hit. Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the successful destruction of the target, while a few surviving elements scattered in disarray,” he said.
Goni further disclosed that troops repelled coordinated attacks by insurgents on 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha.
He said the troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to abort the mission and withdraw.
“Regrettably, three brave soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the fierce battle, while wounded personnel were swiftly evacuated and are currently in stable condition, receiving medical treatment,” he said.
He added that follow-up exploitation and mop-up operations were ongoing across the affected areas.
Goni said the successes came amid the ongoing restructuring of Headquarters Theatre Command aimed at strengthening joint integration, improving operational synergy and ensuring broader stakeholder participation in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
He said the renewed approach had enhanced coordination between the land and air components and other supporting elements.
The acting military information officer reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining its offensive posture and deploying intelligence, technology and joint capabilities to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East.
In a related development, the Imo State Police Command, on Thursday, said security agencies have launched a swift operation that led to the rescue of 10 victims abducted by gunmen along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye.
“The rescued victims are in safe hands and are being attended to. The exact number of persons abducted is being verified and will be made public once confirmed,” the Command said.
It said it deployed tactical teams and operational assets in a coordinated search-and-rescue operation following the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) corps members and other passengers.
The Command said two buses carrying corps members and other passengers were attacked by suspected armed men at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, near Umunoha.
The development follows the reported abduction of 20 corps members along the road while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in the South-East and South-South.
The victims were reportedly travelling in a commercial bus when they were intercepted by gunmen.
According to the Command, the two buses were conveying NYSC corps members and other passengers from Ibadan to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Bende, Abia State, respectively, when they came under attack.
The Command said its tactical teams were conducting coordinated search-and-rescue operations, supported by intelligence-led tracking aimed at locating the suspected abductors and securing the release of the remaining victims.
It said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Bosso, alongside other service commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to provide operational direction.
The police said Bosso assured the public that the operation would continue until all victims were safely recovered and the suspects brought to justice.
“The Commissioner of Police, alongside other Service Commanders, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and to give operational direction. He assured the public that the Command will sustain the operation until all victims are safely recovered and the suspects are brought to justice,” the statement read in part
The affected section of the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway has since been reopened, with traffic flowing normally, while security personnel remain deployed to protect commuters.
The Command also said it was working with the NYSC directorate to contact the families of affected corps members and keep them informed as the operation progresses.
It urged members of the public to remain calm and vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the rescue operation.
“All information will be treated in confidence,” the police said, adding that further updates would be issued as the situation progresses.
The incident comes weeks after security forces rescued 15 corps members and six others abducted in Kogi State.
The victims were rescued after a sustained, intelligence-driven operation in Egume Forest, with security forces continuing efforts to apprehend the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups led by the Civil Society for Peace, Security and Development (CSPSD) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security chiefs for their efforts towards tackling insecurity and strengthening national security.
The coalition gave the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing journalists after a solidarity rally to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its National Coordinator, Dr Kabiru Muhammed, said the coordination and operational commitment of the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies and other security formations had increased pressure on terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal networks.
Muhammed said security agencies under the Tinubu administration had intensified intelligence-led and technology-driven operations, with greater emphasis on inter-agency coordination.
According to him, the approach had contributed to efforts to reduce insecurity in different parts of the country.
The coalition also commended the leadership of the security chiefs for taking operational responsibility in responding to emerging threats, while noting that the president had continued to provide political direction and support for the country’s security architecture.
“Under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye; and Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the security agencies have intensified intelligence-led operations, joint deployments, surveillance, community engagement and coordinated responses to emerging threats,” the coalition said.
The group also welcomed the Federal Government’s investments in infrastructure, education, energy, youth development, technology and economic reforms, describing them as important components of the administration’s broader transformation agenda.
It, however, acknowledged that the government’s economic reforms had come with significant adjustments and hardships for citizens.
“The Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, although accompanied by significant adjustments and hardships for citizens, have been aimed at addressing longstanding structural challenges and creating a more sustainable foundation for the delivery of democratic dividends in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” it said.
On infrastructure, the coalition commended the Federal Government’s road and rail projects across the country, citing ongoing construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and major roads, as well as railway modernisation.
It also acknowledged developments in the energy sector, particularly efforts to expand domestic refining capacity, strengthen electricity infrastructure and promote alternative energy initiatives, including Compressed Natural Gas.
The coalition said investments in electricity infrastructure and renewable energy, as well as efforts to address legacy debts in the power sector, were also ongoing.
On human capital development, the group noted federal programmes aimed at improving access to education, housing, healthcare and economic opportunities.
It specifically cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the Presidency had reported that more than 1.5 million students had benefited from higher-education financing.
The coalition also acknowledged federal housing initiatives targeted at expanding access to affordable accommodation and creating employment opportunities.
While commending the administration, the group urged the Federal Government to sustain its efforts and ensure that the benefits of ongoing reforms translated into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
It called for greater attention to employment opportunities, food security, affordable transportation, reliable electricity, education and healthcare.
The coalition further urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing useful information, promoting peaceful coexistence and remaining committed to national unity.
It congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the 66th Independence Anniversary, expressing optimism that sustained reforms, effective security operations and responsible citizenship would contribute to a safer and more prosperous country.