Esther Oseyiomon
The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, disclosed that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 317 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians during coordinated military operations conducted across the country in May.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, made the disclosure during a press briefing held at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where he provided updates on ongoing military operations across various theatres nationwide.
Major General Onoja said the operations, carried out in collaboration with sister security agencies, also led to the surrender of 18 terrorists, recovery of 93 arms, destruction of three illegal refining sites and seizure of 21,910 litres of assorted petroleum products linked to oil theft activities.
According to him, troops sustained coordinated land, air and maritime offensives throughout the month, targeting terrorist enclaves, logistics networks, gunrunning syndicates and criminal collaborators operating across the country.
Giving updates on operations in the North-East under Operation HADIN KAI, Onoja disclosed that troops recorded major breakthroughs against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states.
He said a total of 73 insurgents were neutralised, 159 arrested, while 112 civilians were rescued during various operations conducted within the period.
Among the key operations highlighted was the rescue of women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State during attacks earlier in the year.
He also revealed that troops repelled several coordinated terrorist attacks, including assaults on military formations in Magumeri and Buni Gari, where troops engaged insurgents in fierce gun battles, recovering anti-aircraft guns, RPG tubes, ammunition and other combat equipment.
The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that troops intercepted terrorist logistics convoys attempting to move supplies across the Nigeria-Cameroon border, while sustained pressure from military offensives forced several terrorists and collaborators to surrender.
In the North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Onoja said troops neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 13 suspects and rescued 22 kidnapped victims during operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
He disclosed that troops also dismantled arms supply networks linked to notorious bandit leaders, including Bello Turji, while several attacks on military formations and critical infrastructure were successfully repelled.
According to him, troops recovered weapons, motorcycles, livestock and cash during raids on terrorist enclaves and fighting patrols conducted across the region.
The Defence Headquarters also addressed the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, with Onoja stating that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, had directed immediate reinforcement of security operations, including aerial surveillance and specialised ground missions aimed at rescuing victims and apprehending perpetrators.
He said the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and safeguarding lives and property across the country.
Major General Onoja commended troops for their professionalism, resilience and sacrifices in ongoing operations, while also paying tribute to personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely intelligence to enhance ongoing counterterrorism and anti-criminality operations nationwide.