The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded significant operational successes across various theatres of operation, rescuing hundreds of abductees, arresting terrorist collaborators, dismantling criminal networks, and disrupting illegal oil bunkering activities in a sustained nationwide offensive conducted between June 5 and June 11, 2026.
In an official signed statement, Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed that the achievements underscored the Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives, protecting national assets, and restoring peace across the country.
Major General Onoja disclosed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained relentless pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North-East through intensive fighting patrols, clearance operations, and the disruption of terrorist logistics networks. He revealed that military operations in the Mandara Mountains and surrounding areas of Borno State resulted in the rescue of hundreds of civilians who had been held captive by terrorists.
According to him, troops operating in Gwoza Local Government Area recovered several women and children who escaped from terrorist enclaves following sustained military bombardments. He added that the most remarkable achievement occurred on June 6 when troops executed a coordinated multi-axis raid in the Mandara Mountains, leading to the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been abducted during an attack on Ngoshe community in March 2026.
While regretting the death of two infants due to the harsh terrain encountered during the rescue operation, the Defence spokesman said the remaining 358 survivors were evacuated for medical treatment and humanitarian support before being handed over to appropriate authorities.
He further disclosed that troops recorded additional successes through the arrest of terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. Several suspects were apprehended with communication equipment, illicit substances, food supplies, agro-allied chemicals, and cash intended for terrorist elements. Troops also recovered weapons, motorcycles, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition during exploitation patrols and successfully repelled an attack on a military position in Mallam Fatori.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma intensified offensive operations against terrorists and bandits operating in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states. Major General Onoja revealed that soldiers intercepted a suspected arms dealer transporting more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a sack of millet along the Gusau-Shinkafi route in Zamfara State.
The suspect and the intended recipient of the weapons were subsequently arrested following intelligence-led operations. Troops also neutralised terrorists during fighting patrols, arrested eight suspected bandits in Maru Local Government Area, and recovered motorcycles, communication gadgets, military-style uniforms, and other operational equipment used by criminal groups.
The Defence spokesman noted that troops further responded to terrorist attacks on vulnerable communities, recovering weapons and neutralising several criminals while preventing additional casualties.
In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield dismantled suspected terrorist surveillance networks through intelligence-driven operations. He stated that a high-value terrorist informant was arrested at Kara Market in Borgu Local Government Area, while additional suspects were apprehended in separate operations around Wawa and Doro.
Recovered items included mobile phones, a propaganda device linked to a notorious terrorist commander, cash, and a motorcycle. Preliminary investigations, he added, revealed disturbing evidence suggesting links to violent extremist activities.
Major General Onoja also highlighted gains recorded by troops of Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State, where military personnel disrupted kidnapping networks and rescued victims from criminal gangs. Troops successfully recovered six passengers following a kidnapping incident along the Hawan Kibo-Rafin Sayin Road and later rescued two additional victims who escaped from their abductors.
He said the arrest of suspected kidnappers and informants in Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas significantly weakened criminal operations in the state. Some suspects were positively identified by previous victims, while cash and communication devices linked to kidnapping activities were recovered.
In Benue, Kogi, and Taraba states, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke maintained pressure on criminal elements through aggressive patrols and intelligence-based raids. Major General Onoja disclosed that troops recovered weapons and ammunition abandoned by fleeing cattle rustlers in Benue State and rescued 13 passengers following an attack on commercial vehicles along the Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba Road.
He further revealed that troops rescued two kidnap victims in Kogi State after intercepting terrorists attempting to move them across communities. Additional recoveries included weapons, ammunition, communication devices, and materials linked to criminal groups.
The military’s anti-economic sabotage campaign also yielded substantial results in the South-South region. Troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered illegal oil bunkering facilities, recovered stolen petroleum products, and disrupted crude oil theft networks in Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom states.
According to the Defence spokesman, troops discovered illegal siphoning infrastructure in Rivers State, intercepted a vehicle carrying approximately 1,200 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in Akwa Ibom State, and recovered thousands of litres of stolen crude oil during joint operations with security partners in Delta State.
He added that five suspected kidnappers were arrested in Edo State, while petroleum products recovered in Akwa Ibom were handed over to the management of Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilisers Limited.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka recorded major breakthroughs against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. Joint operations conducted with other security agencies in Abia and Enugu states led to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of weapons.
Major General Onoja disclosed that troops uncovered an arms hideout concealed as a piggery in Enugu State, recovering a General Purpose Machine Gun, an RPG-7 launcher tube, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, ammunition, and other military-grade equipment. A subsequent raid on another suspected safe house yielded additional rifles, magazines, ammunition, and IPOB uniforms.
He said intelligence obtained from earlier arrests enabled troops to degrade the operational capacity of the criminal network significantly, with all suspects and recovered items handed over to the Department of State Services for further investigation.
Troops also uncovered a suspected crude oil storage facility in Imo State where large quantities of stolen petroleum products were destroyed, while follow-up operations in Ebonyi State led to the recovery of cash, weapons, and other items believed to be proceeds of criminal activities.
Major General Onoja described the successes recorded across all operational theatres as a reflection of the professionalism, resilience, and sacrifice of troops working under difficult conditions to secure the country. He said the recovery of weapons, arrest of terrorist collaborators, rescue of civilians, and dismantling of criminal and economic sabotage networks represented major milestones in ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability nationwide.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining close collaboration with other security agencies, host communities, and critical stakeholders to consolidate the gains achieved and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons as well as the revival of economic activities in affected areas.
The Director Defence Media Operations also conveyed the commendation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, who praised troops across all theatres for their courage, discipline, and dedication to duty. He stated that the Armed Forces would remain relentless in protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria and urged citizens to continue providing credible and actionable intelligence through established security channels, assuring that all information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
