The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded sweeping operational successes across all theatres of operation in May 2026, neutralising 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects, and rescuing 221 kidnapped civilians in coordinated nationwide offensives.
This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, during the monthly operational briefing on ongoing military operations at Defence Headquarters Abuja on Wednesday.
He stated that sustained joint land, air, and maritime operations were conducted across the North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East, resulting in significant degradation of terrorist and criminal networks nationwide.
In the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, troops intensified pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba States, neutralising insurgents, arresting suspects, rescuing abducted civilians, and dismantled logistics supply chains.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded major successes against armed bandits in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna States, with troops neutralising criminals, rescuing kidnapped victims, and recovering weapons and ammunition.
Operations in the North Central covering SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE also dismantled kidnapping syndicates and arms trafficking networks, including the discovery of illegal arms manufacturing sites in Plateau State and multiple high-profile arrests.
In the South South, Operation DELTA SAFE disrupted oil theft syndicates and destroyed illegal refining sites, while recovering over 21,900 litres of stolen petroleum products. In the South East, Operation UDO KA maintained pressure on IPOB/ESN-linked elements and criminal collaborators.
Maj. Gen. Onoja noted that the month also recorded increased terrorist surrenders and improved civilian rescue outcomes across theatres, describing the overall performance as a “strategic consolidation of nationwide security gains.”
