The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced fresh operational successes recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria across various theatres of operation between May 8 and 14, 2026, with troops neutralising terrorists, rescued kidnapped victims, arrested criminal collaborators and recovered arms, ammunition and stolen petroleum products.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing on ongoing military operations nationwide.
According to the DHQ, troops sustained coordinated land and air offensives against terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East regions.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants operating in Borno, Adamawa, Taraba and Yobe States.
The military disclosed that troops on ambush along the Banki-Kumshe Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State intercepted a terrorist logistics convoy crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria. The insurgents reportedly fled under pressure, abandoning supplies including fuel, medications, food items, motorcycle parts and phone batteries.
Troops also repelled a coordinated multi-wave terrorist attack on a military formation in Buni Gari, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, neutralising five terrorists, including a foreign national. Recovered items included a General Purpose Machine Gun, AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes, assorted ammunition and cash. However, three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the encounter.
The DHQ further stated that troops rescued 12 abducted women and children from Ngoshe community during clearance operations around the Mandara Mountains and Amuda-Gava corridor in Borno State.
Additionally, suspected terrorist collaborators and gunrunners were arrested in Yobe and Taraba States, while troops recovered weapons and ammunition during patrol operations in Gamboru Ngala.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded major gains against terrorists and bandits across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
On May 8, troops rescued 32 kidnapped victims, including women and children, during an offensive operation at Dikawa village in Matazu LGA of Katsina State. The operation also led to the recovery of rifles, hand grenades, motorcycles and rustled livestock.
Troops further neutralised terrorists during ambush operations in Katsina State and rescued additional kidnap victims in Kaduna and Zamfara States following air strikes and clearance operations.
The military also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Kaduna and Sokoto States, while troops thwarted attempts by terrorists to destroy Nigerian Immigration Service infrastructure near the Nigeria-Niger border in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State.
In the North Central region, troops under Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE conducted clearance operations and intelligence-led raids across Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and Kogi States.
The operations led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, terrorist collaborators and gunrunners, while arms, ammunition, motorcycles and communication equipment were recovered.
The DHQ said troops successfully repelled attacks on military formations in Niger State and maintained effective security coverage around the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline and other critical national assets.
In Plateau and Nasarawa States, several suspects linked to kidnapping and violent attacks were arrested during coordinated operations involving troops and local security outfits.
Similarly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised suspected terrorists during ambush operations in Kogi State and rescued a senior police officer, ASP Usman Ogbobi of PMF 44 Force Headquarters Abuja, alongside another victim abducted in Benue State.
In the South South region, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified anti-crude oil theft operations and rescue missions across Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta and Rivers States.
The military said troops rescued a kidnap victim during a raid around a hotel in Edo State, while illegal petroleum products traced to oil theft syndicates were recovered in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
Troops also arrested a suspected member of a criminal syndicate linked to sporadic shootings in Delta State, while additional suspected collaborators aiding kidnappers were apprehended in Edo State.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against suspected IPOB/ESN elements in Abia and Anambra States.
According to the DHQ, troops arrested suspects linked to illegal arms possession and kidnapping activities, while ongoing clearance operations continue to deny criminal elements freedom of movement within the region.
The military also highlighted ongoing civil-military cooperation initiatives aimed at strengthening public trust and supporting vulnerable communities.
The Nigerian Air Force conducted a medical outreach programme in Maiduguri, providing free medical consultations, eye and dental care, medications and relief materials to hundreds of residents, including displaced persons and flood victims.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State through Operation FANSAN YAMMA to support food production ahead of the 2026 farming season.
Commending troops for their gallantry, discipline and sacrifices, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to defeating terrorism, separatist violence, kidnapping, oil theft and all forms of criminality threatening national security.
The CDS also called on Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, stressing that community collaboration remains vital to sustaining operational successes across the country.
