The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says it sustained the momentum of nationwide counter-terrorism and anti-crime operations in July 2026, neutralising more than 102 terrorists and criminal elements, rescuing 393 kidnapped victims and arresting 345 suspects across various theatres of operation.
Speaking during the monthly operational briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the successes reflected the military’s sustained offensive against terrorists, kidnappers, armed bandits, oil thieves and other criminal networks across the country.
According to him, troops also secured the voluntary surrender of 57 insurgents and their family members, while recovering 59 firearms, 1,811 rounds of ammunition and destroying numerous terrorist enclaves, illegal refining sites and criminal logistics bases.
Onoja said the North-East remained one of the busiest operational theatres, with troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralising 54 terrorists, arresting 102 suspects and rescuing 102 kidnapped victims during coordinated operations across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
He disclosed that among the major achievements was the elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, identified as a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, during a military operation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops also intercepted terrorist logistics suppliers, arrested a foreign fighter from Sudan and an illegal immigrant from Ghana, while several insurgents surrendered under sustained military pressure.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 191 kidnapped victims, neutralised 33 terrorists and arrested 66 suspects during operations in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States. The troops also foiled multiple kidnapping attempts and rescued dozens of commuters and residents, including the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Dr Aminu Yusuf, members of his family and other victims targeted by armed gangs.
Operations in the North-Central also recorded significant breakthroughs. Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 11 kidnap victims, neutralised eight terrorists and arrested 18 suspects in Kwara and Niger States, while Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued 18 kidnapped victims and arrested 60 suspects linked to armed robbery, gunrunning and militia activities across Plateau and Kaduna States.
Similarly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE operating across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States rescued 24 kidnap victims, arrested 70 criminal suspects and neutralised five terrorists, including a notorious kingpin known as Puuga in Benue State. Several weapons, ammunition and logistics items were also recovered during clearance operations.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified the campaign against crude oil theft and kidnapping, dismantling 18 illegal refining sites, recovering over 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products and rescuing 37 civilians. Troops also arrested notorious kidnap suspects in Edo State and disrupted pirate activities along the Akwa Ibom waterways.
Operation UDO KA in the South-East arrested 26 criminal suspects, rescued 10 civilians and recovered weapons during sustained offensives against separatist criminal elements, gunrunners and kidnappers operating across Abia, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States.
The Defence Headquarters also highlighted the contribution of the Air Component, which conducted precision air strikes that neutralised terrorists advancing towards communities in Niger State after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions confirmed hostile movements. Another air operation also enabled the escape of nine kidnap victims.
Beyond combat operations, the military expanded its civil-military cooperation efforts through peace-building engagements, cholera response interventions in Borno State, and community development projects, including the construction of boreholes, town halls, school renovations and electrification projects across several states.
Major General Onoja said the operational successes recorded in July further degraded the capabilities of terrorist and criminal groups while improving security along major highways, rail corridors and strategic national assets.
He conveyed the commendation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede to troops for their professionalism and resilience, particularly for the successful rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State without payment of ransom.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorism, kidnapping, secessionist violence and other forms of criminality, while urging Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence through the military’s toll-free emergency line, 193.
