By Nkechi Eze
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have sustained an aggressive nationwide offensive against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and other criminal elements, recording major operational breakthroughs across the North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East theatres within one week of coordinated military operations.
According to an official signed statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops deployed across the various theatres between May 8 and 14, 2026, neutralised several terrorists, rescued kidnapped victims, intercepted terrorist logistics networks, arrested collaborators and gunrunners, and recovered large caches of arms, ammunition, motorcycles, communication equipment, and illegally refined petroleum products.
Major General Onoja stated that the sustained successes reflected the Armed Forces’ resolve to protect lives, restore peace, and deny criminal elements freedom of action across the country through coordinated land and air offensives.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants operating across Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, and Yobe states.
Among the most significant operations was the interception of a terrorist logistics convoy along the Banki-Kumshe Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on May 8. Troops on ambush forced insurgents attempting to cross from Cameroon into Nigeria to abandon supplies including fuel, medications, motorcycle parts, phone batteries, food items, and other logistics materials.
On the same day, troops at Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State successfully repelled a large-scale terrorist assault on a military camp, neutralising five terrorists, including a foreign national.
Recovered during the operation were a General Purpose Machine Gun, an AK-47 rifle, RPG tubes with bombs, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and cash.
The military, however, disclosed that three soldiers paid the supreme price during the fierce encounter.
Troops also recorded major humanitarian gains following the rescue of abducted women and children from Ngoshe community after coordinated air interdiction and clearance operations around the Mandara Mountains and the Amuda-Gava corridor.
Additional operations led to the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and gunrunners in Yobe and Taraba states, while troops at Gamboru Ngala uncovered an abandoned cache containing pistols, ammunition, and cartridges along the Ladari riverbanks.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded major successes against terrorists and bandits across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states.
Troops mounted a snap checkpoint in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State where a suspected terrorist was arrested with an AK-47 magazine, multiple mobile phones, and photographs showing him in police uniform alongside armed associates.
A separate offensive operation in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State resulted in the neutralisation of two terrorists and the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims comprising women, men, and children.
Troops recovered AK-47 rifles, magazines, a fabricated grenade, motorcycles, and livestock from the terrorists’ enclave.
Further ambush operations in Katsina neutralised additional terrorists, while victims kidnapped from Kebbi State were rescued from forest hideouts in Zamfara State.
In Sokoto State, troops thwarted attempts by terrorists to destroy Nigerian Immigration Service infrastructure near the Niger Republic border, killing two insurgents and recovering weapons and motorcycles.
In the North Central theatre under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops successfully repelled attacks on military formations in Niger State, killing terrorists and recovering ammunition, motorcycles, communication gadgets, and weapons.
Follow-up exploitation operations yielded additional terrorist casualties and weapons recovery.
Troops also arrested suspected terrorists and collaborators in Kwara State, including an alleged terrorist leader tracked during a covert surveillance operation in Edu Local Government Area.
Under Operation ENDURING PEACE, troops sustained anti-kidnapping operations across Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Security forces arrested suspected kidnappers and gunrunning kingpins linked to violent attacks and kidnappings across several communities.
In Plateau State, troops intensified operations following attacks in Bassa Local Government Area, leading to multiple arrests, while another suspected kidnapper linked to deadly attacks in Bokkos was apprehended after being identified by a rescued victim.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE also recorded major breakthroughs in Kogi and Benue states.
In Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, troops ambushed suspected terrorists along the old Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi Road, neutralising one suspect and recovering AK-47 rifles, ammunition, communication devices, medical supplies, motorcycles, and cash.
In Benue State, troops rescued a senior police officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Usman Ogbobi of PMF 44 Force Headquarters Abuja, alongside another victim kidnapped along the Ochumekwu-Ugbobi Road.
The victims’ vehicle was also recovered and handed over to the police.
In the South South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained anti-crude oil theft and anti-kidnapping operations across Edo, Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Rivers states.
Troops rescued a kidnap victim abandoned by fleeing suspects in Edo State and recovered items used by the criminals.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops recovered approximately 1,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil traced to Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited.
In Rivers State, anti-illegal bunkering operations uncovered suspected crude oil theft infrastructure valued at about N600 million, including galvanised pipes and thousands of litres of illegally refined crude oil.
Troops also arrested suspected criminal collaborators and logistics suppliers aiding kidnappers in Edo State.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained pressure against IPOB/ESN elements in the South East.
Operations in Abia and Anambra states led to the arrest of suspects in possession of locally fabricated and foreign-made firearms.
Troops also responded swiftly to the kidnapping of a resident in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, pursuing the kidnappers across the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway where one suspect was apprehended after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to escape.
Recovered from the suspect were N830,000 and a mobile phone, while efforts to arrest other gang members are ongoing.
Beyond kinetic operations, the Armed Forces also intensified civil-military relations initiatives aimed at strengthening public trust and supporting vulnerable communities.
In Maiduguri, the Nigerian Air Force conducted a large-scale medical outreach programme providing free medical consultations, dental and eye care services, medications, relief materials, and health education to hundreds of residents, including women, children, and the elderly.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army through Operation FANSAN YAMMA donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State to support agricultural production ahead of the 2026 farming season.
At the distribution ceremony held at the Emir of Maru’s palace, community leaders commended the military’s intervention as critical support for farmers affected by insecurity and rising production costs.
According to the statement, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede in his concluding remarks, commended troops for their gallantry, resilience, discipline, and professionalism across all operational theatres.
The Defence Chief paid tribute to officers and soldiers who lost their lives in active service and extended condolences to their families.
He charged troops to remain steadfast and mission-focused in the ongoing fight against terrorism, separatist violence, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality threatening Nigeria’s peace and sovereignty.
General Oluyede also reassured Nigerians of the Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting lives, property, and national interests while urging citizens to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
