The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded significant operational successes across the country in July 2026, neutralising 102 terrorists and other criminal elements, arresting 345 suspects, rescuing 393 kidnapped victims, while 57 insurgents and their family members surrendered to troops.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during the monthly operational briefing in Abuja on Friday, saying the achievements underscored the military’s sustained commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting citizens.
According to him, troops operating across the various theatres of operation also recovered 59 weapons and 1,811 rounds of ammunition, dismantled criminal logistics networks, destroyed terrorist camps, and intensified operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
Major General Onoja said Operation HADIN KAI in the North East recorded the neutralisation of 54 terrorists, arrest of 102 suspects, rescue of 102 kidnapped victims, and the surrender of 57 insurgents and their families. Among the major successes was the elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, during an operation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
He added that troops also arrested a foreign fighter from Sudan, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, several terrorist logistics suppliers, and rescued numerous abductees while sustaining pressure that forced more terrorists to surrender.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 191 kidnapped victims, neutralised 33 terrorists, and arrested 66 suspects across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States. Troops also foiled multiple kidnap attempts, rescued the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, members of his family, and dozens of other civilians during coordinated rescue missions.
The Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD theatre in the North Central recorded the rescue of 11 kidnap victims, neutralisation of eight terrorists, and arrest of 18 suspects, while troops disrupted arms trafficking networks and rescued victims during several operations in Kwara and Niger States.
Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE operating in Kaduna and Plateau States arrested 60 suspects, neutralised two terrorists, rescued 18 kidnapped victims, and intercepted illegally fabricated firearms and other weapons destined for criminal groups.
Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops operating across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States neutralised five terrorists, arrested 70 suspects, and rescued 24 kidnapped victims. Among the notable successes was the killing of a notorious terrorist kingpin known as Puuga in Benue State and the destruction of criminal hideouts linked to wanted terrorists.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations against crude oil theft, dismantling 18 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products. Troops also rescued 37 civilians, arrested suspected kidnappers and economic saboteurs, while disrupting illegal bunkering activities in Rivers, Edo and Akwa Ibom States.
Meanwhile, Operation UDO KA in the South-East arrested 26 criminal suspects, rescued 10 civilians, recovered several firearms and ammunition, dismantled illegal bunkering sites, and intensified operations against IPOB/ESN elements and other criminal networks.
The Defence Headquarters also highlighted the contributions of the Air Component of the Armed Forces, which carried out precision air interdictions and intelligence-driven strikes that neutralised terrorists in Niger State and supported ground troops in several operations across the country.
Beyond combat operations, the military expanded its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives through peace-building engagements, mediation between oil companies and host communities, cholera intervention campaigns in Borno State, and the execution of various community development projects, including boreholes, town halls, electrification projects and school renovations across different geopolitical zones.
Commending troops for their professionalism and sacrifices, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, also praised the successful rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, stressing that the operation was accomplished without paying any ransom.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ determination to sustain offensive operations against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, secessionist violence and other forms of criminality, while urging Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence through the military’s toll-free emergency line 193.
