The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded significant gains against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements across the country, rescuing dozens of abducted victims, neutralising terrorists and recovering weapons and petroleum products during operations conducted between August 14 and 20, 2026.
According to an official statement signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director, Defence Media Operations, the operations were conducted across the various theatres of operation as troops sustained the campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft, arms trafficking, illegal refining and other forms of criminality.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded several successes, including the rescue of kidnapped victims during clearance operations in Bauchi, Adamawa and Borno States.
Troops also neutralised terrorists during an attack on Mandaraugirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, recovering rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other war materiel.
The troops further rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis and recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle at Ngurusoye Village in Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters said 47 family members of terrorists, comprising women and children, surrendered to troops between August 16 and 20, while six terrorist fighters also surrendered between August 15 and 20. The defectors reportedly cited hunger, insecurity and factional clashes within terrorist enclaves as reasons for abandoning the groups.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised terrorists during clearance operations in Katsina and Zamfara States and rescued 28 abducted victims across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States.
The troops also intercepted a suspect conveying 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The explosives were allegedly being transported to terrorists in Katsina State.
Further operations resulted in the arrest of suspected collaborators and informants linked to terrorist activities and abduction cases, including the kidnapping of an immigration officer’s family and staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.
In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Kogi State. The victims comprised two men, five women and six children.
Troops also neutralised a suspected kidnap gang leader in Nasarawa State and a terrorist in Benue State, while recovering weapons and arresting suspected arms traffickers and kidnappers in Taraba and Benue States.
Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition during operations in Plateau State following reports of attacks on communities.
In Kwara State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised a terrorist during a fighting patrol in Ifelodun Local Government Area and recovered an AK-47 rifle. Seven kidnap victims were also rescued around Latandaji in Patigi Local Government Area.
The South South theatre also recorded gains, with troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arresting suspected kidnappers and an arms trafficker while recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest in Delta State.
Under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, troops dismantled three illegal refining sites in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State and recovered approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against secessionist elements and illegal oil bunkering networks across Abia, Anambra, Imo and Rivers States.
The troops disarmed multiple Improvised Explosive Devices along the Odumeje-Eketutu-Udah axis in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State and recovered a locally made pistol and cartridges after engaging suspected secessionist elements.
They also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia State, arrested three suspects and recovered motorcycles, suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil and a vehicle.
Further operations in Rivers and Anambra States resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to attacks on troops and the recovery of firearms, ammunition and a radio. Troops also cleared 11 IEDs during clearance operations towards the “Mother Valley” in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Beyond combat operations, the Armed Forces sustained civil-military cooperation activities, with the Nigerian Navy commissioning a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State, to improve access to potable water and strengthen relations with host communities.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, commended troops across the various theatres for their sacrifices and operational successes.
Oluyede commended the rescue of abducted citizens, neutralisation of terrorists, dismantling of criminal and secessionist networks and protection of the nation’s critical assets.
He also commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives during the period and wished injured security personnel speedy recovery.
The CDS further commended the collaboration between the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local security groups and other stakeholders, noting that the synergy remained vital to the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and economic sabotage.
He also appreciated the media for its professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations, while urging members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security agencies.
The Armed Forces reaffirmed their determination to sustain the current tempo of operations until peace, stability and security are fully restored across the country.
