Maryam Aminu
As Nigeria continues to battle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft across several regions, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says it has intensified coordinated military offensives nationwide, leading to the neutralisation of 317 terrorists and criminal elements in May 2026 alone.
The Defence Headquarters said troops also arrested 314 suspects, rescued 221 kidnapped civilians, recovered 93 weapons, dismantled illegal arms and oil bunkering networks, while compelling 18 terrorists to surrender during sustained operations across the country.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Tuesday during the monthly briefing on ongoing military operations, where he said the armed forces had sustained “unrelenting and comprehensive offensives” through coordinated land, air and maritime operations aimed at restoring peace and safeguarding national security.
Against the backdrop of growing security concerns in parts of the country, Onoja said troops remained under clear directives to dismantle terrorist enclaves, disrupt criminal logistics networks and deny armed groups freedom of operation.
According to him, military operations during the month produced “landmark achievements of considerable strategic significance,” including the destruction of terrorist camps, arrests of gunrunners and collaborators, seizure of stolen petroleum products and rescue of civilians held in captivity.
Giving a breakdown of operations in the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, the DDMO said troops sustained intense pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba States.
He disclosed that 73 insurgents were neutralised, 159 arrested and 112 kidnapped persons rescued within the period under review.
Onoja said troops repelled coordinated terrorist assaults in several locations, including Magumeri and Buni Gari, recovering anti-aircraft weapons, RPG launchers, machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition during fierce encounters.
He explained that troops also intercepted terrorist logistics convoys attempting to infiltrate Nigeria through border routes from Cameroon, recovering fuel supplies, medications, motorcycle parts and other items allegedly meant for insurgents.
The Defence spokesman further revealed that sustained clearance and rescue operations led to the liberation of several women and children abducted from Ngoshe community earlier in the ayear.
In one of the most dramatic rescue operations, he said troops mobilised a Quick Reaction Force after terrorists abducted commuters along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno State, forcing the attackers to abandon eight vehicles and 92 captives during pursuit operations.
He added that troops also detected and safely detonated improvised explosive devices planted along strategic routes by fleeing insurgents.
On Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West, Onoja said troops intensified coordinated offensives against terrorists and bandits operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
According to him, 24 terrorists were neutralised, 13 suspects arrested and 22 kidnapped civilians rescued during operations in the region.
The DDMO stated that troops, supported by air assets including Super Tucano aircraft, successfully repelled attacks on military formations in Zamfara State and launched follow-up offensives that inflicted heavy casualties on armed groups.
He disclosed that troops rescued 32 abducted persons, including women and children, during a major offensive in Katsina State, while precision air strikes in Shinkafi destroyed terrorist hideouts.
Onoja also announced the arrest of a suspected major gunrunner linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, describing the development as a major breakthrough against arms trafficking networks fueling insecurity in the North West.
In the North Central region, the Defence Headquarters said troops under Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE recorded significant successes against kidnappers, illegal arms manufacturers and criminal syndicates operating across Kwara, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba States.
The Defence spokesman said troops dismantled illegal arms production sites in Plateau State where fabricated AK-47 rifles and weapons-making equipment were recovered.
He added that several kidnappers, ammunition couriers, terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested during intelligence-driven operations across the region.
According to him, troops also intercepted large quantities of ammunition concealed in vehicles and food consignments allegedly being transported to criminal groups operating along the River Niger corridor.
In the South-South under Operation DELTA SAFE, Onoja said troops intensified the crackdown on kidnappers, oil thieves and economic saboteurs across Rivers, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
He disclosed that troops destroyed illegal refining sites, intercepted stolen petroleum products and arrested several suspects linked to crude oil theft syndicates.
The DDMO revealed that troops uncovered heavily modified vehicles allegedly being used to transport stolen fuel near the Eleme Petrochemical Company in Rivers State, leading to the arrest of drivers and security personnel suspected of aiding the illegal operation.
On operations in the South East under Operation UDO KA, Onoja said troops sustained offensives against suspected IPOB/ESN elements and violent criminal groups across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo States.
He stated that 60 suspects were arrested, three terrorists neutralised and 18 kidnapped civilians rescued during operations in the region.
According to him, troops recovered illegal firearms, fake Biafran currency and arrested suspected gunrunners and illegal miners during raids conducted across several communities.
Beyond combat operations, the Defence Headquarters said the armed forces also intensified non-kinetic engagements aimed at strengthening civil-military relations and supporting vulnerable communities.
Onoja said the Nigerian Air Force conducted medical outreaches for residents and displaced persons in Maiduguri, while troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Zamfara State to support agricultural production ahead of the planting season.
Reacting to the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, the Defence spokesman said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, had ordered immediate security reinforcements, aerial surveillance and coordinated operations to track down the perpetrators.
He assured Nigerians that troops would sustain offensive operations across all theatres until criminal networks threatening national security were completely dismantled.
Onoja also conveyed the condolences of the military high command to families of personnel who lost their lives during operations, while commending troops for what he described as their “extraordinary gallantry, tactical ingenuity and unwavering professionalism” in the defence of the country.
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