By Nkechi Eze
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained a series of operational successes across multiple theatres of operation between April 10 and 16, 2026, as troops intensified pressure on terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other armed criminal elements across the country.
The operations targeted fighters of Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Jamā’at Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), violent extremist groups, secessionist armed elements and organised kidnapping syndicates.
In a statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said the sustained operations led to the arrest of numerous suspects, the rescue of kidnapped victims, interception of large consignments of terrorist logistics, and the neutralisation of armed criminals in a determined effort to create a Safe and Secure Environment (SASE) across the country.
Within the North-East theatre under Operation Hadin Kai, troops maintained an aggressive kinetic campaign against terrorist groups. On April 10, troops conducting logistics strangulation operations in Gubio town, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State arrested a suspect who confessed to supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to terrorists for about ten years. Sixty litres of petrol, a mobile phone and cash were recovered from him.
On the same day, troops raided suspected criminal hideouts in Angwan Rami and Angwan Mallam in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, arresting 20 suspects. Items recovered included mobile phones, an ATM card, a laptop computer, a machete and cash amounting to N2,137,285.
On April 11, troops arrested three suspected terrorist informants in Ngirboa, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State after observing them trailing and attempting to identify troop movement patterns.
A major interception also occurred the same day when troops deployed at a Forward Operating Base in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State stopped a trailer transporting a large consignment of medical supplies concealed beneath 48 bags of cement. The waybill falsely declared the cargo as beverages and household items transported from Kano to Geidam. A detailed search uncovered hundreds of cartons of antibiotics, injectable medications, sterile drips, surgical consumables and anti-malarial drugs believed to be intended for terrorist elements. The driver and three motor boys were arrested while the consignor was invited for questioning.
Between April 14 and 16, troops conducted clearance operations in Dan Madam and Dajin Madam/Kumbodoro forests spanning Bauchi State, Plateau State and Taraba State, dismantling several terrorist camps, neutralising fighters and capturing family members of terrorist elements. A tactical team also arrested the deputy ring leader of a notorious terrorist kingpin and his wife in Gombe State.
In the North-West under Operation Fansan Yamma, troops continued operations across Kaduna State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Sokoto State and Zamfara State.
On April 10, a suspicious vehicle parked near Tsamiyar Nasara village in Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State was searched after the driver fled on sighting locals. Troops discovered seven bags containing improvised explosive device (IED) materials including detonating cords, explosives and electrical detonators. The suspected driver later surrendered while investigations revealed that the owner of the goods had fled after spotting troops.
Troops also apprehended a fleeing suspect in Banikawa who confessed to participating in terrorist activities, including involvement in the killing of troops at a Forward Operating Base in December 2024 and the abduction of a Reverend Father in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Three other suspected violent extremist insurgents were earlier arrested in Kagarko on April 9.
Troops also repelled a terrorist attack on residents of Matazu Main Town in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State on April 10. Subsequent clearance operations on April 13 in Tunga Ataka and Mashayan Iska villages in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State led to the arrest of 11 suspected terrorist informants.
On April 16, troops engaged terrorists attempting to move towards Kagara Forest along the Shinkafi–Moriki road in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, forcing them to abandon a motorcycle and a loaded ammunition magazine. Another operation in Zurmi Local Government Area disrupted the movement of a separate terrorist group heading towards Maniya village.
In the North-Central theatre under Operation Savannah Shield, troops intensified counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across Niger State and Kwara State. On April 14, troops carried out clearance operations across several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State including Dekara village, Dongoru, Bakimba, Jigga, Gidan Kambarawa and Masaka.
During the operation, troops established a blocking position at Baturen Daji and made contact with terrorists along the Masaka–Dekara road, defeating them. While withdrawing, troops repelled a terrorist ambush, capturing nine motorcycles and arresting two suspected terrorists without recording any casualties.
Under Operation Enduring Peace, troops sustained operations across Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna States. On April 12, troops responded to reports of sporadic shootings along the Huke–Rewienko road in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State and rescued an injured victim who was evacuated for medical treatment.
On the same day, troops foiled a terrorist attack on a herder in Rasa village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State and evacuated the wounded victim to the Jos University Teaching Hospital. On April 13, a suspected kidnapper was tracked and arrested in Mayir village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State before being handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.
A significant breakthrough occurred on April 14 when troops arrested the wife of a suspected terrorist in Kukawa village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. During the arrest, troops intercepted a live telephone call from a suspected terrorist attempting to organise her extraction. Follow-up operations on April 15 in the same area led to a confrontation with terrorists who abandoned four kidnapped victims while fleeing. The victims were safely reunited with their families, while two additional abductees were rescued during a night patrol in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also sustained security operations across Benue, Taraba State, Nasarawa State and parts of Kogi State. In Kogi, troops raided an illegal mining site at Taki in Yagba West Local Government Area and arrested three suspects in possession of locally made firearms and ammunition.
In Karshi within the Federal Capital Territory, vigilantes working with troops arrested two suspected kidnappers and weapon smugglers believed to be members of an arms trafficking syndicate operating through social media.
An ambush operation in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on April 13, based on intelligence relating to the December 2025 church kidnapping in Aiyetoro Kiri community, led to the neutralisation of two members of the kidnapping syndicate who had earlier been identified by victims. Follow-up operations in Ofere village on April 14 resulted in the rescue of two kidnapped victims abandoned by fleeing criminals.
Troops also responded to another kidnap incident at Nagazi Farm Centre in Adavi Local Government Area where terrorists had killed one resident and abducted his three sons. The criminals fled after being pursued by troops, leaving the victims behind to be rescued. Another abducted victim in Yagba West Local Government Area later escaped and was recovered by troops during a patrol in Okunran.
In the South-South region under Operation Delta Safe, troops intensified operations to curb criminal activities and protect critical national infrastructure. On April 14, troops conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State alongside local hunters and arrested a suspect identified as Mohammed Majoa while recovering six motorcycles.
In Cross River State, troops on stop-and-search duty at a checkpoint in Boki Local Government Area arrested a female suspect found in possession of 25 cartridges. The suspect claimed she purchased the ammunition in Aba, Abia State, and was travelling towards Abo-Ebam community.
In the South-East theatre under Operation Udo Ka, troops sustained operations against criminal elements linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
On April 13, troops conducted a fighting patrol in Umuogem Umuonyeoka, Ufuma in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Terrorists fled upon sighting troops, prompting a tactical withdrawal followed by a surprise re-assault. Troops neutralised one terrorist and recovered a pump-action rifle, a riot gun, four cartridges, a smoke tear gas canister, two motorcycles, four mobile phones and a power bank.
On April 14, troops working with the Department of State Services tracked ransom proceeds paid for a kidnapped victim to Adani in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. The operation led to the arrest of a suspect’s brother and a female accomplice, while a pump-action rifle and N2 million in cash were recovered.
The military said the operational outcomes recorded across all theatres demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the Armed Forces to protecting lives and property, dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace across affected communities.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, bravery and dedication, urging them to sustain the operational momentum in order to dismantle remaining terrorist enclaves.
He also thanked Nigerians for their continued support and confidence in the military, assuring that the Armed Forces remain firmly committed to delivering peace, safety and security to every part of the country in accordance with the rules of engagement and international humanitarian laws.
