Other MoA event in Nigeria on Wed 8th July 2026

Freed Kidnap Victims Reveal Terrorist Losses, Camps in Rijana Forest After Interception by Troops 

By Zagazola Makama 

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have intercepted five recently released kidnap victims in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, whose accounts provided fresh intelligence on terrorist activities and the structure of armed groups operating in the Rijana Forest.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were intercepted at about 2:00 p.m. on July 16 by troops of 1 Division Sub-Sector 5 deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kajuru.

During preliminary debriefing, the victims disclosed that they had been held captive by a 34-member terrorist group operating from the Rijana Forest.

According to the victims, the group suffered heavy losses following an ambush by troops at Gwantu Village on July 8, during which 12 terrorists, including their leader identified as Doro, were reportedly neutralised.

The victims further revealed that, despite the setback, several other terrorist groups remain active within the Rijana Forest axis.

They identified three additional armed groups, each comprising an estimated 25 to 40 fighters, allegedly led by commanders identified as Mato, Hassan, and others.

Security sources said the intelligence provided by the rescued victims is being analysed and will support ongoing operations aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves and restoring security across the Kajuru–Rijana corridor.

The victims have since been taken to a secure location for further debriefing and necessary medical and psychosocial support, while troops continue clearance operations in the area to track down the remaining terrorist groups.