The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have arrested 72 suspected terrorists, kidnappers, logistics suppliers, collaborators, gun runners and other criminal elements in coordinated operations conducted across the country between 17 and 23 July 2026, as troops sustained the offensive against insurgency, kidnapping, oil theft and other security threats.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday, stating that troops also neutralised scores of terrorists, rescued several kidnapped victims, destroyed criminal hideouts and illegal refining sites, while recovering a large cache of arms, ammunition and logistics.
According to him, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded significant gains in the North-East, including the elimination of Abu Salim Al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, during operations in Borno State. The military also foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration of the University of Maiduguri, rescued several captives, and arrested 41 suspects, including logistics suppliers, collaborators, kidnappers, a foreign fighter from Sudan and an illegal immigrant from Ghana.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA arrested four terrorist collaborators, rescued 11 abducted passengers along the Gummi-Sokoto Road and recovered arms and ammunition after repelling attacks in Kaduna and Zamfara states.
Under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops working with local vigilantes neutralised four kidnappers, arrested two suspects, and rescued a kidnap victim during operations in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered weapons from criminal hideouts and repelled armed militia during a prolonged firefight in Riyom Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested 14 suspects across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered several rifles and ammunition while dismantling terrorist camps.
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified the crackdown on crude oil theft, uncovering multiple illegal refining sites, dismantling bunkering camps, recovering thousands of litres of stolen crude and illegally refined petroleum products, and arresting eight suspects linked to kidnapping, gun running and crude oil theft.
Similarly, troops of Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, arrested three suspected IPOB/ESN members in Enugu State and recovered weapons and ammunition during a raid on a criminal hideout in the South-East.
Major General Onoja said the operational successes demonstrate the Armed Forces’ determination to degrade the capabilities of terrorists, kidnappers, militias and other criminal elements while ensuring the safety of citizens and critical national infrastructure.
He assured Nigerians that the military would sustain the ongoing operations until lasting peace and stability are restored nationwide, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies.
