The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded significant gains in ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and crude oil theft across the country, rescuing 398 kidnapped victims, arresting 31 terrorists and their collaborators, and neutralising 10 terrorists within the past week.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while providing an update on military operations conducted between June 5 and June 11, 2026.
According to him, troops deployed across the various theatres of operation sustained pressure on criminal elements, leading to the rescue of hundreds of civilians, recovery of weapons and ammunition, disruption of terrorist logistics networks and dismantling of illegal oil bunkering infrastructure.
The most significant success was recorded in the North-East, where troops of Operation Hadin Kai carried out a coordinated multi-axis offensive in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been held captive since terrorists attacked the Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026.
Onoja said the operation threw terrorist networks into confusion, allowing troops to successfully extract the captives from their hideouts.
Although two infants died due to the harsh conditions of the mountainous terrain during the rescue process, the remaining 358 victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Gwoza, where they received medical attention before being handed over to appropriate authorities.
The military also recovered an eight-year-old boy, Ali Musa, who escaped from a terrorist enclave in Saha, while six additional women and children who fled from insurgent camps were rescued in separate operations.
Arms Dealers, Terrorists Nabbed in North-West
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma recorded major successes in Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states.
A suspected arms dealer, Mallam Mustapha Abubakar, was arrested while transporting a locally fabricated 9mm pistol, 1,002 rounds of ammunition and other weapons concealed inside a sack of millet.
Troops subsequently tracked and arrested the intended recipient of the weapons in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In separate operations across Zamfara, troops neutralised terrorists, arrested eight suspected terrorists and recovered motorcycles, communication gadgets, camouflage uniforms, ammunition and other logistics supplies.
A terrorist-linked shop used for operational support was also destroyed.
Military operations in the North-Central zone led to the rescue of several kidnap victims and the arrest of criminal informants.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace rescued six passengers abducted along the Hawan Kibo-Rafin Sayin road in Plateau State after launching a search-and-rescue mission.
Another two victims who escaped from their abductors were recovered in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The military also arrested suspected kidnap informants and recovered weapons, communication devices and cash.
In Kogi State, troops responded to attacks on commercial vehicles, rescuing 13 passengers. They later intercepted terrorists attempting to move two kidnapped victims across the state and successfully rescued the captives.
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Onoja said troops intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist supply chains and support networks.
Several terrorist informants and logistics suppliers were arrested in Borno and Adamawa states.
Among items recovered were large quantities of mosquito nets, food supplies, communication equipment, illicit drugs, agrochemicals and cash intended for terrorist groups.
A 20-year-old terrorist identified as Fannami Ali also surrendered to troops in Monguno, Borno State.
In Niger State, troops arrested several suspected terrorists and informants. Investigators reportedly discovered propaganda materials linked to a notorious terrorist commander and evidence suggesting connections to violent extremist networks.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka, working alongside other security agencies and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Operations in Abia and Enugu states led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, ammunition and IPOB uniforms.
Military authorities said intelligence obtained from previous arrests helped security forces locate several safe houses and arms storage facilities used by the group.
Crackdown on Oil Theft Intensifies
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
Security forces uncovered illegal syphoning points, reservoirs, storage facilities and makeshift refining sites in Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Edo states.
Thousands of litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined automotive gas oil (AGO) were recovered, while several suspected kidnappers were arrested in Edo State.
Recovered petroleum products and illegal infrastructure were either destroyed or handed over to relevant authorities.
Major General Onoja said the Armed Forces remain committed to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements threatening national security.
He assured Nigerians that ongoing military operations across all theatres would continue until criminal groups are decisively degraded and peace restored to affected communities.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain focused on protecting lives and property while ensuring that terrorist and criminal networks are denied freedom of action across the country,” he said.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.