The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded major operational gains across the country, rescuing 339 kidnapped victims and degrading terrorist and criminal networks during operations conducted between July 31 and August 6, 2026.
The operations, which covered the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East theatres, also led to the arrest of suspected terrorists, informants and logistics suppliers, recovery of arms and ammunition, and the dismantling of illegal oil-refining facilities.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, on the ongoing military operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Operation HADIN KAI: Hostages Rescued, Terrorist Logistics Networks Disrupted
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI foiled an attempt by terrorists to abduct civilians along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State on July 31.
The troops pursued the fleeing terrorists towards Mangari-Dora and successfully rescued 31 persons, comprising 22 adult males, five adult females and four children. Four vehicles and a motorcycle belonging to the terrorists were also recovered.
In a separate operation near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA, troops rescued two women and two children who had reportedly been held at a terrorist enclave since the 2023 farming season.
Troops also arrested suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in different locations across Borno, Adamawa and Bauchi States, while several family members of suspected terrorists surrendered to the military.
One of the rescued victims was 18-year-old Blessing Tuggur, who was abducted in November 2025 at the Dogoba-Kopre axis of Askira Uba LGA, Borno State. She was reunited with her family after receiving medical attention.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA: Terrorist Movement Intercepted, Air Strike Conducted
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intercepted 21 persons attempting to cross into Birnin Kebbi following a snap operation in Kaduna State.
After profiling, five of those arrested were identified as suspected terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services for further investigation, while the remaining passengers were released.
In Sokoto State, troops arrested four suspects at Darusa Village Market in Gudu LGA and recovered six rustled cattle, mobile phones and ₦165,000 suspected to be proceeds from the intended sale of the animals.
The Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA also carried out a precision air strike against terrorists gathered around Kampani Bobi and Beri Settlement in Mariga LGA of Niger State.
According to the military, the terrorists had assembled with about 15 motorcycles in preparation for hostile activities. The air strike neutralised scores of terrorists, while subsequent battle-damage assessment indicated secondary explosions consistent with the destruction of additional logistics and explosive ordnance.
Operation WHIRL STROKE: Kidnap Victims Rescued, Arms Intercepted
In the North Central theatre, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ukum LGA of Benue State.
The victims, who were abducted along the Wukari–Zaki-Biam Road on July 13, have since been reunited with their families.
Troops also destroyed a hideout linked to a wanted terrorist leader known as Matthew, alias “Full Fire”, and arrested five suspected associates.
In Nasarawa State, troops intercepted a motorcycle conveying two women at Yelwa Village in Doma LGA and recovered 10 AK-47 magazines containing 551 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
A separate operation in Doma town also led to the recovery of additional AK-47 ammunition. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the police for further investigation.
In Kogi State, troops foiled a kidnap attempt along the Lokoja–Okene Road in Adavi LGA. During another operation in Yagba West LGA, troops engaged terrorists, neutralised one and rescued two of four abducted victims.
A member of a local security group was, however, killed during the operation, while efforts continued to rescue the remaining victims.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a youth leader in Kaduna State in connection with the recent terrorist attack on Naridon community.
Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD: 308 Abducted Persons Rescued
A major breakthrough was recorded under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD with the rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, during a joint operation in the Kainji Lake National Park in Borgu LGA of Niger State.
The rescued persons included 163 indigenes of Woro community in Kwara State and 145 persons from Niger State.
Troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State.
Between August 5 and 6, troops operating around Kamfanin Bobi in Mariga LGA of Niger State engaged terrorists reportedly moving from Zamfara State with the intention of launching a reprisal attack against a military base.
The encounter forced the terrorists to withdraw, resulting in the neutralisation of one terrorist and the recovery of nine motorcycles. No military casualty was recorded.
Operation DELTA SAFE: Illegal Refining Sites Dismantled
In the South South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued 11 kidnap victims following an incident along the Lagos–Benin Road in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State.
The troops also intensified operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
Three reactivated illegal refining sites were dismantled in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni axis of Rivers State between August 1 and 2.
The operation led to the discovery of approximately 61,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, comprising about 43,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 18,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
Further operations resulted in the discovery of 85,300 litres of crude oil products in the same axis on August 5, while another 105,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil products were discovered in the Oteghele axis of Delta State on August 6.
Operation UDO KA: Criminal Camps Raided, Weapons Recovered
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against armed criminal groups and secessionist agitators.
Following investigations into an earlier ambush on troops, military operations led to the arrest of several principal suspects and the discovery of camps in Delta and Imo States.
Weapons and ammunition allegedly linked to the earlier attack were recovered from the camps.
In another operation in Enugu State, troops arrested five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and destroyed a hideout in Amansioda Ndiagu Oghe Forest.
The follow-up operation also resulted in the recovery of two General Purpose Machine Guns, ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device.
Troops subsequently foiled a kidnap attempt along the Nsukka–Obollo Road in Udenu LGA of Enugu State, forcing the perpetrators to abandon their victim and flee.
CDS Commends Troops, Security Agencies and Media
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops across the various operational theatres for their discipline, courage and sustained commitment to defending the nation.
General Oluyede also acknowledged the growing collaboration between the Armed Forces, other security agencies, local security groups and relevant stakeholders, noting that the partnership has contributed significantly to the successes recorded in the ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-crime campaign.
The CDS further commended the media for its professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations.
He urged Nigerians to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to strengthening the country’s security architecture.
General Oluyede assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational tempo until peace and stability are fully restored across the nation’s theatres of operation.
