The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced major operational successes recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) across all theatres of operation in May 2026, including the neutralisation of 317 terrorists and criminals, the arrest of 314 suspects, and the rescue of 221 kidnapped civilians.
Speaking during the monthly press briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the achievements underscore the growing combat effectiveness and operational dominance of the military against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and separatist violence across the country.
According to him, troops also recovered 93 assorted weapons, destroyed three illegal refining sites, recovered 21,910 litres of stolen petroleum products, while 18 terrorists surrendered to troops during the period under review.
Major General Onoja stated that coordinated land, air, and maritime offensives conducted in conjunction with other security agencies produced decisive results in the North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East regions.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 73 insurgents, arrested 159 suspects, rescued 112 civilians, while 18 terrorists surrendered. He disclosed that troops successfully repelled several ISWAP attacks in Borno and Yobe States, rescued abducted women and children, intercepted terrorist logistics suppliers, and foiled a mass abduction attempt along the Buratai–Kamuya Road where 92 kidnapped commuters were rescued.
He added that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 13 suspects, and rescued 22 kidnapped victims through sustained offensives in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. The operations also led to the arrest of a notorious gunrunner linked to bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
In the North Central region, troops under Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE recorded multiple successes against kidnappers and arms traffickers. Notably, security forces dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State where fabricated AK-47 rifles and weapon components were recovered.
The Defence Headquarters further revealed that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified anti-oil theft operations in the South South, leading to the destruction of illegal refining sites and interception of vehicles conveying stolen petroleum products in Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States.
Similarly, troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East arrested 60 suspected IPOB/ESN members and criminal elements, rescued kidnapped victims, and recovered weapons and illegal materials during operations in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo States.
The military high command also highlighted ongoing civil-military cooperation activities aimed at strengthening public trust and supporting vulnerable communities. These include medical outreach programmes by the Nigerian Air Force in Maiduguri and the donation of 400 bags of fertiliser by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to farmers in Zamfara State ahead of the farming season.
Major General Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining aggressive operations nationwide while urging citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely intelligence.
