The Nigerian Army has rescued more than 1,000 abducted persons within the last 18 months during sustained military operations across the North-West, the outgoing General Officer Commanding of the 8 Division, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, has said.
Ajose disclosed this on Friday in Sokoto while addressing officers and men at his farewell ceremony, describing the rescues as one of the major operational gains recorded under Sector 2 of Operation Fasan Yamma.
“In 2025 alone, we recovered over 200 weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and rescued more than 1,000 kidnap victims,” Ajose said.
He attributed the successes to sustained pressure on criminal hideouts, noting that the operations weakened bandit networks and improved security across several communities.
According to him, the renewed security efforts also enabled displaced residents to return to their homes and farmlands during the last farming season.
“These operations were critical in restoring confidence among civilians and reopening previously abandoned communities,” he stated.
Beyond combat operations, Ajose highlighted improvements in troop welfare and infrastructure as key achievements of his tenure.
“With the support of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff, we renovated existing accommodation, constructed new living quarters, and restored water supply to Giginya Cantonment for the first time in nearly 20 years,” he said.
He added that medical facilities within the division were upgraded to provide round-the-clock electricity, free maternal healthcare for soldiers’ families, and ambulance services, while wounded personnel received surgical care at no cost.
Ajose also noted that the involvement of civilian medical experts from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital significantly enhanced healthcare delivery within the barracks.
“Educational facilities, places of worship, employment opportunities, and security infrastructure were equally improved,” he added.
In his remarks, the incoming GOC of the 8 Division, Major General Bemgha Paul Koughna, commended Ajose’s leadership, describing the division as “a benchmark for operational effectiveness.”
Ajose, who has been redeployed to Abuja for a new assignment, urged officers and soldiers to give maximum cooperation to his successor to sustain the operational momentum.
