A civil society organisation, the Coalition for National Security and Democratic Stability (CNSDS), has praised the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, over what it described as renewed operational efficiency by the Nigerian Armed Forces following the neutralisation of 317 terrorists and criminal elements across the country within one month.
The group said the latest operational figures released by the Defence Headquarters indicate significant progress in the military’s fight against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and organised crime.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, president of the coalition, Samuel Agada, said the achievements recorded in May 2026 reflected improved coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions under Oluyede’s leadership.
According to the Defence Headquarters, troops deployed across different theatres of operation neutralised 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians during coordinated nationwide operations carried out in May.
The military also recovered several weapons, dismantled illegal arms manufacturing facilities and destroyed oil theft sites in different parts of the country.
Reacting to the development, Agada said the results demonstrate that the Armed Forces are gradually regaining operational dominance in several troubled regions.
“These figures are not just statistics. They represent communities protected, lives saved and criminal networks disrupted through the courage and professionalism of Nigerian troops,” he said.
“We commend the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for providing strategic leadership at a critical time when the country faces complex security threats across multiple fronts.”
The coalition noted that military operations conducted across the north-east, north-west, north-central, south-south and south-east showed stronger intelligence gathering and improved inter-agency collaboration.
Agada particularly praised troops involved in counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the north-east, describing the rescue of abducted women and children as a major humanitarian achievement.
He also described the dismantling of illegal arms factories and the interception of logistics supplies meant for criminal groups as critical steps toward weakening the operational capacity of terrorists and kidnappers.
“The destruction of illegal arms factories and the disruption of supply chains show that the military is not only confronting attacks but also targeting the infrastructure sustaining insecurity,” he added.
The coalition further applauded ongoing operations against crude oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta, saying the destruction of illegal refining sites and seizure of stolen petroleum products would help safeguard national economic interests.
Agada urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, stressing that national security requires collective responsibility.
“The success of these operations also reminds us that national security is a collective responsibility. Citizens must continue to cooperate with security agencies by sharing timely and credible information,” he said.
The group added that although insecurity remains a major challenge, the recent operational gains demonstrate that sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations can significantly weaken criminal networks threatening peace and stability across the country.
