The Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified nationwide operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, killed dozens of insurgents, rescued kidnapped victims and dismantling several criminal networks across multiple states.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on ongoing military operations conducted between March 7 and March 12, 2026.
According to him, troops carried out intelligence-driven offensive patrols, fighting patrols, clearance operations and rapid response missions across various theatres of operation aimed at protecting civilians and safeguarding national security.
In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai sustained pressure on terrorists belonging to Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad.
Onoja said troops successfully repelled multiple terrorist attacks and intercepted logistics supplies intended to sustain insurgent activities. In one of the engagements in Goniri, Yobe State, troops supported by air assets neutralised more than 20 terrorists, including a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu.
He added that troops also arrested logistics suppliers and tax collectors working for terrorists in parts of Yobe State and repelled coordinated assaults on forward operating bases in Tuba and Doro Baga in Borno State.
In Adamawa State, troops responded to distress calls in Madagali and Maiha Local Government Areas, rescued kidnapped victims and seizing 23 jerrycans of petrol intended for terrorist use.
The military also disclosed that 14 additional insurgents surrendered to troops during the period, bringing the cumulative number of fighters who have laid down their arms under the government’s deradicalisation initiative to over 122,800.
In the North-West, troops operating under Operation Fansan Yamma carried out successful operations across Kaduna State, Katsina State, Zamfara State, Kebbi State and Sokoto State.
During the operations, troops rescued kidnapped victims along the Abuja–Kaduna Road, destroyed a terrorist enclave linked to the Lakurawa group in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State and arrested several suspected logistics suppliers and cattle rustlers.
Security forces also intercepted weapons concealed in commercial vehicles and apprehended an ammunition courier who had hidden rounds of ammunition inside a motorcycle fuel tank.
In the North-Central region, troops of Operation Savannah Shield intensified counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across Kwara State and Niger State, leading to the rescue of kidnapped victims and the neutralisation of criminals during engagements.
Troops also rescued abducted victims in separate operations in Edu and Pategi Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
Similarly, troops under Operation Enduring Peace operating in Plateau State, Bauchi State and parts of Kaduna State rescued several victims, arrested suspects and recovered illicit substances.
During a checkpoint operation in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, troops intercepted a trailer carrying 802 bags of ammonium sulphate, a chemical substance that can be used in the production of explosives.
Further successes were recorded by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue State, Taraba State, Nasarawa State and Kogi State, where troops neutralised terrorists and recovered weapons, SIM cards, ATM cards and vehicles linked to criminal activities.
In the South-South, troops under Operation Delta Safe raided criminal hideouts in Delta State, leading to the arrest of suspects and recovery of arms and ammunition.
Troops also conducted forest clearance operations in Edo State, where three suspected kidnappers were neutralised and weapons recovered.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka sustained operations against criminal elements linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network in the South-East.
During route clearance operations in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, troops discovered and safely destroyed several improvised explosive devices planted along a road that had remained abandoned for about three years due to insecurity.
Troops also dismantled illegal oil refining sites in Egbema West in Imo State, destroying storage facilities and equipment used for illicit petroleum processing.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their courage and professionalism and thanked Nigerians for providing timely intelligence that has aided military operations.
He assured citizens that the Armed Forces would continue to intensify operations to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks threatening peace and national stability across the country.
