The Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded fresh operational gains against terrorism, kidnapping, crude oil theft and other criminal activities across the country between July 31 and August 6, 2026, rescuing hundreds of abducted persons, neutralising terrorists and dismantling illegal refining facilities.
According to an official statement signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations, the successes were recorded across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East theatres as troops sustained offensive operations against criminal and terrorist networks.
One of the most significant breakthroughs was recorded in Niger State, where troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 308 abducted persons, mainly women and children, during a joint operation in the Kainji Lake National Park, Borgu Local Government Area.
The statement said 163 of the rescued victims were indigenes of Woro village in Kwara State, while 145 were from Niger State.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI foiled an attempt by terrorists to abduct civilians along the Buratai-Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State on July 31.
The troops pursued the fleeing terrorists towards Mangari-Dora and rescued 31 persons comprising 22 adult males, five adult females and four children. Four vehicles and a motorcycle belonging to the terrorists were also confiscated.
Troops subsequently rescued two women and two children who had been held at a terrorist enclave since the 2023 farming season in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Further operations resulted in the surrender and interception of several family members of suspected terrorists, as well as the arrest of suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and informants in parts of Borno and Adamawa States.
The troops also rescued 18-year-old Blessing Tuggur, who had been abducted in November 2025 at Dogoba Kopre axis in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. She was reunited with her family after receiving medical attention.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops arrested 21 persons attempting to cross into Birnin Kebbi after intercepting suspected terrorists transiting through Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Following profiling, five of the suspects were identified as terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services, while the remaining passengers were released.
The Air Component of the operation also conducted a precision air strike on terrorists assembled with about 15 motorcycles at Kampani Bobi and Beri Settlement in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The strike neutralised scores of terrorists, while secondary explosions confirmed the destruction of additional logistics, equipment and explosive ordnance.
In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued seven kidnapped victims in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State and arrested a suspected gun runner, recovering two locally fabricated pistols.
Troops also destroyed a hideout linked to a wanted terrorist leader identified as Mathew, alias “Full Fire”, and arrested five suspected associates.
In Nasarawa State, troops intercepted a motorcycle conveying two women and recovered 10 AK-47 magazines containing 551 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Police for further action.
Troops also foiled kidnap attempts in Benue and Kogi States, with additional operations resulting in the neutralisation of suspected terrorists and rescue of abducted persons.
In the South South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE continued their offensive against kidnapping and crude oil theft, rescuing 11 victims following a kidnap incident along the Lagos-Benin Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, troops dismantled three reactivated illegal refining sites in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni axis of Rivers State between August 1 and 2.
The operation led to the discovery of approximately 61,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, comprising 43,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 18,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
A further 85,300 litres of crude oil products were discovered in the same axis on August 5, while troops operating in the Oteghele axis of Delta State on August 6 discovered and handled 105,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil products in line with their mandate.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA recorded breakthroughs against armed criminal gangs and secessionist agitators, arresting suspected members of a criminal network linked to an earlier ambush on troops.
The operations led to the recovery of weapons and ammunition from criminal camps in Delta and Imo States, including two General Purpose Machine Guns, ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device.
A militant leader also voluntarily surrendered a cache of arms buried in Egbema, Imo State, while troops foiled a kidnap attempt along the Nsukka-Obollo Road in Enugu State, forcing the perpetrators to abandon their victim and flee.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, commended troops across all theatres for their discipline, resilience and commitment to defending the nation.
General Oluyede also praised the collaboration between the Armed Forces, other security agencies, local security groups and other stakeholders, noting that the cooperation had continued to yield positive results in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The CDS further commended the media for its professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security forces.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations until peace and stability are fully restored across the country.
