The Nigeria military has recorded major operational successes across the country in July 2026, Neutralised 102 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 345 suspects and rescued 393 kidnapped victims in a sustained nationwide offensive against insecurity.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed today Friday 31st July ,2026 during the monthly operational briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, troops operating under various Joint Task Forces sustained coordinated land and air offensives that led to the arrest of terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners, militia members and economic saboteurs across the six geopolitical zones.
He said 57 insurgents and their family members surrendered to troops during the period, while security forces recovered 59 assorted weapons and 1,811 rounds of ammunition from criminal elements.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 54 terrorists, arrested 102 suspects, rescued 102 kidnapped victims and received the surrender of 57 insurgents and their families.
Among the major achievements was the killing of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, described as a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, during a military operation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Troops also arrested a foreign fighter from Sudan, an illegal immigrant from Ghana and several logistics suppliers supporting terrorist activities.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 191 kidnap victims, neutralised 33 terrorists and arrested 66 suspects during coordinated operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The military also rescued dozens of victims in Zamfara, Kano and Sokoto States while repelling several kidnap attempts.
Operations in the North-Central also yielded significant results as troops of Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke rescued dozens of kidnapped victims, neutralised notorious criminal kingpins and dismantled terrorist hideouts across Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified anti-crude oil theft operations, dismantling 18 illegal refining sites and recovering over 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products while arresting suspected oil thieves and kidnappers.
Similarly, Operation UDO KA sustained pressure on criminal gangs and separatist elements in the South-East, leading to the arrest of 26 suspects and the recovery of several weapons and ammunition.
The Air Component of the Nigeria military also conducted precision air interdictions that disrupted terrorist movements in Niger State and enabled the rescue of kidnapped victims.
Major General Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and praised the synergy among security agencies that culminated in the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State without payment of ransom.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, secessionist violence and other criminal activities, urging Nigerians to continue supporting security operations by providing credible intelligence through the military’s toll-free emergency line 193.
