The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have recorded major operational successes across the country, rescued 48 kidnapped victims, forcing terrorists and criminal elements to flee, recovered weapons and explosives, and disrupting illegal refining activities during operations conducted between August 14 and 20, 2026.
The latest successes were recorded across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East theatres as troops sustained operations against terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a press briefing on Friday, saying the operations reflected the determination of the military to protect lives and property and safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted clearance and rescue operations across Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa states.
On August 14, troops and local security groups operating in Gwamnare Forest, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, rescued three kidnapped victims, while five others escaped their captors and reunited with their families. Two other victims, however, were killed by their abductors before troops intervened.
A follow-up engagement resulted in the neutralisation of one kidnapper, while a member of a local security group sustained a gunshot injury and was evacuated for treatment.
The following day, troops repelled a two-pronged terrorist attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu LGA of Borno State, neutralising two terrorists and recovering rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other war materiel.
Troops also engaged kidnappers at Maigero Village in Song LGA of Adamawa State, forcing them to withdraw and recovering ammunition and items used to restrain victims.
On August 17, troops rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis in Dikwa LGA of Borno State and subsequently recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle at Ngurusoye Village in the same local government area.
The military also recorded a significant surrender of terrorist family members during the week, with 47 women and children surrendering to troops between August 16 and 20 in locations including Amuda Bridge in Gwoza and Mafa.
According to the military, the escapees cited hunger, insecurity and factional clashes within terrorist enclaves as reasons for abandoning their camps.
Six terrorist fighters also surrendered between August 15 and 20, while a cordon-and-search operation around Bewac along the Al-Ansar University-Baga Road in Maiduguri led to the arrest of a suspect found with ammunition.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified operations across Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, neutralising terrorists and rescuing abducted persons.
Troops engaged terrorists at Kurudu Village in Kankia LGA of Katsina State on August 14 and neutralised two of them.
Similarly, clearance operations around Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji LGAs of Zamfara State resulted in the neutralisation of two terrorists at Garin Kaso Village and the recovery of rifles, ammunition and motorcycles.
Between August 17 and 19, troops rescued 28 abducted victims across Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara State, Sabuwa and Kankara LGAs of Katsina State and Isa LGA of Sokoto State.
The rescued victims were handed over to local authorities for reunification with their families.
The military also disrupted an explosives supply network after troops arrested a suspect transporting 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State. The explosives were allegedly destined for terrorists in Katsina State.
Another suspect linked to the supply chain was arrested in Gusau on August 15, while suspected collaborators of a notorious terrorist kingpin were apprehended along the Sakajiki-Kwanar Guiwa Road in Kaura Namoda LGA.
Further exploitation led to the arrest of six additional informants allegedly linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family as well as staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.
In Kano State, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant in Shanono LGA for allegedly monitoring troop deployments and equipment on behalf of terrorists.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained operations against kidnapping and armed criminality in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
Troops conducting search-and-rescue operations across Ofu and Dekina LGAs of Kogi State compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road on August 11.
The victims comprised two men, five women and six children and were taken to the Palace of the Onu of Abocho for further action.
Troops also repelled an attack by suspected kidnappers on Assakio community in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State, neutralising the gang leader while two other members escaped with gunshot wounds.
At Kyado in Ukum LGA of Benue State, troops neutralised a terrorist during an operation targeting a criminal gang, forcing other members to flee and abandon a motorcycle.
The military also intensified efforts to cut off arms supplies to criminal groups. An arms courier was arrested at Bubuwa in Wukari LGA of Taraba State while attempting to purchase ammunition from a previously arrested gunrunner.
Troops later recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from a suspected hideout at Nasarawo in Jalingo LGA of Taraba State.
Two suspected kidnappers were also arrested at Gou Village in Logo LGA of Benue State in connection with an attempted abduction. A locally fabricated pistol and mobile phones were recovered.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE maintained security operations to prevent communal clashes and attacks on rural communities.
Troops responding to gunfire at Rafin Bauna Village in Bassa LGA on August 17 forced unidentified gunmen to flee and rescued a gunshot victim who was evacuated to hospital.
On August 20, troops responded to a reported attack on Mwar Community in Chakfem Kingdom, Mangu LGA, following cattle rustling allegations.
Surveillance assets were deployed and raids conducted on the residences of identified suspects, leading to the recovery of firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition.
In Kwara State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD engaged terrorists at Alabe Idera in Ifelodun LGA, neutralising one and recovering an AK-47 rifle.
Troops also rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in bushes around Latandaji in Patigi LGA during a night patrol.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE continued operations against kidnapping, arms trafficking and crude oil theft in Edo, Delta and Rivers states.
Three suspected kidnappers were arrested at Igue/Ikao Community in Owan East LGA of Edo State, while troops intercepted another suspect at the Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge in Delta State.
The suspect was found with seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest.
Under the maritime offensive of Operation DELTA SENTINEL, troops disrupted three illegal refining sites in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.
About 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered from eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.
The operation followed the earlier disruption of two illegal refining sites in the same area, as the military continued efforts to degrade illegal refining networks and protect Nigeria’s critical petroleum assets.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against secessionist elements and illegal oil bunkering syndicates across Abia, Anambra, Imo and Rivers states.
Troops on patrol along the Odumeje-Eketutu-Udah axis in Orsu LGA of Imo State discovered and safely disarmed multiple Improvised Explosive Devices.
They also engaged suspected secessionist elements in a brief firefight, forcing the group to flee into nearby vegetation. A locally made pistol and cartridges were recovered.
At Ihie Community in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State, troops dismantled an illegal bunkering site, recovered motorcycles, suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil and a vehicle, and arrested three suspects.
Troops subsequently raided a hideout at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, arresting two suspects linked to an earlier attack on troops in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.
A fighting patrol to a suspected IPOB camp at Eketutu in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State also resulted in the recovery of a pistol, ammunition and a radio.
On August 20, troops conducting clearance operations towards the “Mother Valley” in Ihiala LGA cleared 11 IEDs.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State, as part of the Armed Forces’ civil-military cooperation activities.
The project is intended to improve access to clean and potable water while strengthening relations between the military and host communities.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops across the various theatres for their resilience and operational successes.
He particularly praised the troops for rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists, dismantling criminal and secessionist networks and protecting critical national assets.
The CDS sympathised with families of victims who lost their lives during the operations and wished injured security personnel speedy recovery.
Oluyede also commended the collaboration between the Armed Forces and other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local security groups and other stakeholders.
He urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remained critical to sustaining the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and economic sabotage.
He equally commended the media for its continued professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations until peace, stability and security are fully restored across all theatres of operation.
