Emmanuel Daudu/Maryam Aminu
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has reported significant breakthroughs in its nationwide security operations, announcing the neutralisation of several top terrorist commanders, the rescue of over 800 kidnapped victims, and the arrest of more than 1,300 suspects within the first quarter of 2026.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said the military’s intensified offensives across multiple theatres had dealt a heavy blow to terrorist networks and criminal syndicates operating across the country.
Onoja stated that one of the most notable developments was the confirmed killing of a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, Abu Yahya Al-Muhajir, a member of the group’s Shura Council, noting that this reflected the increasing pressure being mounted on insurgent leadership structures.
Onoja explained that under Operation HADIN KAI, troops had sustained aggressive assaults on insurgents linked to Boko Haram, ISWAP and other terrorist factions across the North East, leading to the arrest of 274 suspects, rescue of 168 kidnapped victims, and the surrender of 90 insurgents within the quarter.
He further disclosed that in March, precision airstrikes in Sambisa Forest eliminated multiple high-profile terrorist leaders, while coordinated attacks in parts of Borno and Yobe states were successfully repelled.
He added that troops also foiled attempts to infiltrate IDP camps and disrupted logistics supply chains, including fuel smuggling operations intended for terrorist use.
The Defence spokesman noted that in the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the rescue of 386 kidnapped victims and the arrest of 114 suspects, adding that troops dismantled terrorist enclaves, intercepted logistics suppliers, and apprehended a suspected gunrunner transporting ammunition toward Kaduna.
Onoja stated that across the North Central region, operations under SAVANNAH SHIELD and ENDURING PEACE resulted in the neutralisation of terrorist elements, arrests of suspects, and interception of explosive materials.
He added that troops also foiled attacks, rescued abducted civilians, and uncovered sophisticated methods used by criminals to transport ammunition.
According to him, troops operating under Operation DELTA SAFE intensified the crackdown on oil theft in the Niger Delta, dismantling 101 illegal refining sites and recovering over 547,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, while several suspects linked to kidnapping and illegal refining activities were arrested.
Onoja also revealed that operations under UDO KA targeted criminal elements associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, leading to the arrest of 91 suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and destruction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during clearance operations in Imo and Anambra states.
Nationwide Impact
Summarising the nationwide impact, Onoja said AFN operations across all theatres led to the rescue of 813 kidnapped civilians, arrest of 1,359 suspects, surrender of 197 insurgents, and recovery of hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
He added that the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, had commended troops for their resilience and professionalism, while reaffirming the military’s commitment to intensifying operations against terrorism and criminality.
Onoja further urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with timely intelligence, stressing that public cooperation remained crucial in sustaining the gains recorded so far.
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