Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects, and rescued 221 kidnapped victims during coordinated military operations conducted across the country in May 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed these figures on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, during the Armed Forces’ monthly operational briefing in Abuja. He stated that the operations were carried out through sustained land, air, and maritime offensives in collaboration with other security agencies across all theatres. Onoja also revealed that the military recorded the surrender of 18 terrorists, recovered 93 assorted weapons, destroyed three illegal refining sites, and seized 21,910 litres of stolen petroleum products during the period under review.
Providing a regional breakdown, Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East killed 73 insurgents, arrested 159 suspects, and rescued 112 civilians, while several terrorists surrendered as a result of intensified operations. In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma troops neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 13 suspects, and rescued 22 kidnapped victims through aggressive patrols and coordinated air-ground operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. In the North-Central zone, operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, and Whirl Stroke conducted clearance and interdiction missions that dismantled kidnapping networks and illegal arms supply chains. A notable achievement was the discovery and dismantling of an illegal arms manufacturing facility in Plateau State.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe forces arrested 14 suspects and destroyed three illegal refining sites as part of intensified anti-oil theft operations. Similarly, troops of Operation Udo Ka in the South-East arrested 60 suspects and rescued 18 victims while sustaining pressure on criminal and secessionist elements. Onoja noted that the operations also exposed networks of collaborators, gunrunners, and informants aiding criminal groups across the country.
The Defence Headquarters also acknowledged the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, where armed bandits abducted students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May 2026. Onoja stated that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered immediate reinforcement and the deployment of surveillance assets to track the perpetrators. He assured that the military remains resolute in its constitutional mandate to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect its citizens, and that troops would sustain pressure until all threats are neutralised.
The military high command commended the gallantry and professionalism of the troops and called on Nigerians to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies.
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