The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded major operational successes across the country, including the neutralisation of several terrorists, arrest of more than 25 suspected terrorists and collaborators, rescue of dozens of kidnapped victims, and recovery of arms, ammunition, and stolen petroleum products during coordinated operations conducted between 8 and 14 May 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in a press statement on ongoing military operations across the various theatres of operation nationwide.
According to him, troops sustained aggressive offensives against terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers, gunrunners, oil thieves, and separatist elements in the North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East regions.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, and Yobe states. Troops intercepted a terrorist logistics convoy along the Banki-Kumshe Road in Bama LGA of Borno State and recovered fuel, medications, motorcycle parts, food items, and other logistics materials.
Troops also repelled a large-scale terrorist attack on their position in Buni Gari, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, neutralising five terrorists, including a foreign national. Recovered items included a General Purpose Machine Gun, AK-47 rifle, RPG tube with bombs, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and cash. Three soldiers, however, lost their lives during the encounter.
The military also rescued 12 abducted women and children from Ngoshe community in Gwoza area of Borno State during clearance operations following air interdiction missions around the Mandara Mountains.
Additionally, troops arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and gunrunners in Yobe and Taraba states, while recovering pistols, cartridges, and 9mm ammunition in Gamboru Ngala.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded significant gains against bandits and armed terrorists across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.
Troops arrested a suspected terrorist in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State with an AK-47 magazine, mobile phones, and photographs showing him in police uniform alongside armed associates.
During offensive operations in Matazu LGA of Katsina State, troops neutralised two terrorists, recovered weapons and motorcycles, and rescued 32 kidnapped victims comprising women, men, and children.
Further ambush and clearance operations led to the killing of additional terrorists in Katsina and Sokoto states, while 13 kidnapped victims escaped captivity following an air strike in Zamfara State and were secured by troops.
The military also arrested a suspected long-time terrorist logistics supplier in Kaduna State.
In the North Central region, troops of Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE sustained coordinated offensives against terrorists, kidnappers, and criminal syndicates across Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi states.
Troops repelled attacks on military locations in Niger State, neutralising terrorists and recovering weapons, motorcycles, radios, and ammunition.
In Nasarawa and Plateau states, several suspected kidnappers, gunrunners, and terrorist collaborators were arrested during intelligence-led operations, while troops also apprehended a gunrunning kingpin in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
In Kogi State, troops neutralised a suspected terrorist during an ambush operation and recovered AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, medical supplies, and communication gadgets.
Troops also rescued a senior police officer, ASP Usman Ogbobi, and another victim kidnapped along the Ochumekwu-Ugbobi Road in Benue State.
In the South South region, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted anti-kidnapping and anti-oil theft operations across Edo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Delta states.
Troops rescued a kidnapped victim in Edo State after suspected kidnappers fled on sighting security forces. They also recovered stolen petroleum products, including 1,500 litres of Automotive Gas Oil traced to theft from Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited.
In Rivers State, troops uncovered illegal oil bunkering infrastructure and recovered about 7,800 litres of stolen crude oil, while several suspected criminal collaborators linked to kidnappers were arrested in Edo and Delta states.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against IPOB/ESN elements in Abia and Anambra states.
Troops arrested suspects in possession of illegal firearms and recovered locally fabricated weapons during clearance operations.
They also responded to the abduction of a resident in Abia State, leading to the arrest of one suspected kidnapper after he was struck by a vehicle while attempting to flee across the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway. Troops recovered N830,000 and a mobile phone from the suspect.
Major General Onoja also highlighted ongoing civil-military relations activities aimed at strengthening public trust and supporting vulnerable communities.
He said the Nigerian Air Force conducted a medical outreach programme in Maiduguri, providing free medical consultations, dental and eye care services, medications, relief materials, and health education to hundreds of residents, including women, children, and elderly persons.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Maru LGA of Zamfara State through Operation FANSAN YAMMA to support food production ahead of the 2026 farming season.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, gallantry, and sacrifices in ongoing operations nationwide.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would remain resolute in defeating terrorism, banditry, separatist violence, oil theft, and other criminal activities threatening national security.
