The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained its nationwide counter-terrorism and internal security operations between 17 and 23 July 2026, recording significant successes across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East theatres with the neutralisation of terrorists and kidnappers, rescue of abducted victims, arrest of criminal collaborators, and recovery of arms, ammunition and logistics.
According to an official statement signed by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the operations were carried out under various Joint Task Forces as part of ongoing efforts to degrade the capabilities of terrorists, armed bandits, militias, separatist groups, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements threatening national security.
The Defence Headquarters said troops also maintained security along strategic highways, rail corridors and other critical national infrastructure to guarantee the safe movement of people, goods and services across the country.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified offensive operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) across Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states.
Among the major breakthroughs was the elimination of Abu Salim Al-Barnawi, described by the military as a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief, during an operation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The military said the operation dealt a significant blow to the insurgents’ command structure and propaganda machinery.
Nigerian Army Aviation also carried out precision air strikes on terrorist positions at Yaganari in Bama Local Government Area, killing scores of insurgents, while troops successfully foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration of the University of Maiduguri, neutralising two terrorists and reinforcing security around the institution.
Further clearance operations in Gubio and Yunusari Local Government Areas led to the destruction of terrorist camps and the recovery of weapons, including a pump-action gun and AK-47 magazines.
Troops also rescued several abductees during separate operations around Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area, including a mother with two children and two young girls, some of whom had reportedly been held captive since August 2025.
The operations equally resulted in the arrest of suspected ISWAP members, logistics suppliers, terrorist collaborators, illegal miners, a terrorist kingpin, a suspected spy, a female collaborator in Sambisa Forest, a foreign fighter from Sudan, an illegal immigrant from Ghana and 12 suspected kidnappers in Bauchi State. In Yobe State, troops arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered three fabricated AK-47 rifles alongside other weapons.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA maintained pressure on terrorists operating in Kaduna and Zamfara states.
Troops arrested several collaborators accused of supplying logistics, collecting ransom and providing intelligence to terrorist groups. Security forces also repelled attacks mounted by terrorists in Zamfara and recovered weapons and ammunition abandoned during the encounters.
A major success was recorded on the Gummi-Sokoto Road where troops responded to a distress call, overpowered terrorists who had barricaded the highway and rescued 11 abducted passengers. Operations are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims.
In Kwara State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, working alongside local vigilantes and forest guards, neutralised four kidnappers, arrested two others and rescued a kidnap victim during a search-and-rescue operation in Kaiama Local Government Area.
Elsewhere in the North-Central region, Operation ENDURING PEACE sustained operations against militia violence in Plateau State. Troops recovered arms from suspected criminal hideouts in Bassa Local Government Area and successfully repelled an ambush by armed assailants in Riyom Local Government Area after an engagement that lasted about two hours, forcing the attackers to retreat into surrounding highlands.
Operation WHIRL STROKE also recorded major successes across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
Troops rescued kidnap victims along the Nasarawa-Benue border, dismantled terrorist camps, neutralised armed criminals, arrested suspected militia members, terrorists, informants, logistics suppliers and couriers, and recovered AK-47 rifles, G3 rifles, pistols and ammunition during several intelligence-led operations.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained the fight against crude oil theft and illegal refining across Rivers and Edo states.
Security forces uncovered multiple illegal refining sites, destroyed bunkering camps, intercepted illegal pipeline connections and recovered more than 25,000 litres of stolen crude oil as well as illegally refined petroleum products.
Joint operations involving the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Tantita Security Services, local hunters and the Edo State Security Corps also led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, gun runners, crude oil thieves and an alleged arms supplier. Troops further intercepted six vehicles conveying products suspected to be stolen crude oil around the Eleme Refinery axis, leading to the arrest of five suspects.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other armed criminal groups.
Troops, working with the Nigeria Police Force, arrested three suspects linked to IPOB/ESN activities in Enugu State. A separate raid on a forest hideout along the Omoku-Ogbaku-Ndoni axis in Rivers State led to the recovery of a Lee-Enfield rifle, a G3 rifle and large quantities of ammunition from a camp believed to have been used for kidnapping and attacks on security personnel.
The Defence Headquarters said the nationwide successes reflected the Armed Forces’ professionalism and determination to sustain pressure on criminal elements across all theatres of operation.
“The successes recorded across the operational theatres during the period under review underscore the professionalism of troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the conduct of internal security and counter-terrorism operations nationwide,” the statement said.
The military reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining offensive operations until lasting peace and stability are restored across the country.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain unwavering in their commitment to protecting lives and property, degrading the capabilities of terrorists, kidnappers, militias and other criminal elements, and restoring lasting peace and stability across all theatres of operations,” the statement added.
The Defence Headquarters also appealed to Nigerians to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities.
