The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded major operational gains in August 2026, neutralising more than 324 terrorists and criminals, arresting 373 suspects and rescuing 610 kidnap victims across the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Monday during the monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations, saying troops also recovered 88 arms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition during the period.
According to him, the military sustained an aggressive operational tempo across the various geopolitical zones through coordinated land, air and maritime operations aimed at degrading the capabilities of terrorists and criminal networks, rescuing abducted citizens, disrupting arms trafficking and logistics chains, and protecting critical national assets.
He said troops also recorded the surrender of 201 insurgents, while operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining resulted in the recovery of 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and the destruction of 21 illegal refining sites.
In the North-East, Operation HADIN KAI rescued 60 kidnap victims, neutralised 114 terrorists, arrested 146 terrorists and recorded the surrender of 201 terrorists and their family members during the reporting period.
The operation also witnessed several successful counter-abduction operations, including the rescue of women and children held in terrorist enclaves in Borno State, while troops dismantled terrorist logistics networks through the arrest of suppliers, informants, spies and collaborators.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 126 kidnap victims and neutralised 190 terrorists, while 47 terrorists were arrested. Troops also intercepted explosives, arms and logistics supplies destined for terrorist groups and rescued several abducted persons in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in the North-Central zone rescued 329 kidnap victims, neutralised seven terrorists and arrested four others, with a major breakthrough recorded on August 5 when troops and other security personnel rescued 308 abducted persons, mainly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE arrested 43 criminals, rescued 38 civilians, dismantled 21 illegal refining sites and recovered hundreds of thousands of litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
The Air Component also sustained precision air strikes and armed reconnaissance missions. In Niger State, air operations in the Mariga axis neutralised scores of terrorists, while a subsequent operation resulted in the neutralisation of 46 terrorists.
General Onoja said the results reflected the Armed Forces’ determination to deny terrorists and criminals freedom of action while creating the conditions necessary for peace, stability and socio-economic activities to thrive.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their gallantry, discipline and resilience, while acknowledging the sacrifices made by personnel in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists and disrupting criminal networks.
He also commended the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, local security groups, traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public for providing operational support and credible information to security agencies.
The CDS assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational tempo until peace, stability and security were firmly consolidated across the country.
