The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have intensified military operations across the country, rescuing at least 48 kidnapped victims, neutralising several terrorists and armed criminals, arresting suspected collaborators and disrupting illegal refining activities between August 14 and 20, 2026.
The latest operational successes, recorded across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East theatres, underscore the military’s sustained campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, oil theft and other forms of criminality.
According to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the operations also resulted in the surrender of 47 family members of terrorists and six terrorist fighters in Borno State, while troops recovered weapons, explosives, ammunition and other military hardware from criminal elements.
The operations were conducted under various Joint Task Forces, including Operations HADIN KAI, FANSAN YAMMA, WHIRL STROKE, ENDURING PEACE, SAVANNAH SHIELD, DELTA SAFE and UDO KA.
North East: Terrorist Families Abandon Enclaves
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded notable breakthroughs in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states.
One of the most significant developments during the week was the surrender of 47 terrorist family members, comprising women and children, between August 16 and 20.
The surrender took place at locations including Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area and Mafa in Mafa LGA of Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters said the women and children cited hunger, insecurity and factional clashes within terrorist enclaves as reasons for abandoning the insurgents’ camps.
Similarly, six terrorist fighters surrendered to troops in Kukawa LGA between August 15 and 20.
The development is seen as another indication of the mounting pressure being exerted on terrorist groups by sustained military operations.
Troops also rescued three kidnapped victims during a clearance operation in Gwamnare Forest, Ningi LGA of Bauchi State, while five others escaped from their captors and were reunited with their families.
However, two victims were killed by their abductors before troops could intervene.
In Borno, troops repelled a two-pronged terrorist attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu LGA, neutralising two terrorists and recovering rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other war materiel.
Another major breakthrough came on August 17 when troops rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis in Dikwa LGA.Troops also recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle at Ngurusoye Village in the same LGA.
North West: Military Intercepts Explosives Bound for Terrorists
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified clearance operations across Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Troops neutralised terrorists in Katsina and Zamfara and recovered rifles, ammunition and motorcycles.
The military also rescued 28 abducted persons between August 17 and 19 across Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara, Sabuwa and Kankara LGAs of Katsina, and Isa LGA of Sokoto State.
Beyond direct combat operations, troops made significant gains against the logistics and intelligence networks supporting terrorist groups.
On August 14, soldiers arrested a suspect transporting 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State.
The explosives were allegedly destined for terrorists operating in Katsina State.
Another suspect connected to the explosives supply chain was arrested in Gusau on August 15.
Troops subsequently arrested suspected collaborators of a notorious terrorist kingpin along the Sakajiki-Kwanar Guiwa Road in Kaura Namoda LGA, recovering cash and motorcycles reportedly intended for delivery to the kingpin’s camp.
Further exploitation led to the arrest of six additional informants allegedly linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family and staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.
North Central: 13 Kidnap Victims Regain Freedom
In the North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded significant successes against kidnappers and armed criminal gangs.
Troops conducting search and rescue operations across Ofu and Dekina LGAs of Kogi State compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road.
The victims comprised two men, five women and six children.
In Nasarawa State, troops responded to an attack by suspected kidnappers on Assakio community in Lafia LGA, neutralising the gang leader while two other members escaped with gunshot wounds.
Troops also neutralised a terrorist at Kyado in Ukum LGA of Benue State during an operation targeting a criminal gang.The operation forced other members of the gang to flee, abandoning a motorcycle.
The military also intensified efforts against arms trafficking, arresting an arms courier in Wukari LGA of Taraba State and recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from a suspected hideout in Jalingo.
Two suspected kidnappers were subsequently arrested at Gou Village in Logo LGA of Benue State.
Plateau: Troops Move Against Rural Attacks
In Plateau State, troops under Operation ENDURING PEACE maintained security operations aimed at preventing communal clashes and attacks on rural communities.
Following reported gunfire at Rafin Bauna Village in Bassa LGA, troops intervened and forced unidentified gunmen to flee, rescuing a wounded victim.
In Mangu LGA, troops responded to an alleged attack by suspected herders’ militia on Mwar Community.
Surveillance operations and raids on identified suspects’ residences led to the recovery of firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition.
Kwara: Seven Kidnap Victims Rescued
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD also recorded gains in Kwara State.
During a fighting patrol at Alabe Idera in Ifelodun LGA on August 18, troops engaged terrorists, neutralised one and recovered an AK-47 rifle.
Later that day, troops on a night patrol around Latandaji in Patigi LGA rescued seven kidnap victims who were found wandering in nearby bushes.
South South: 85,000 Litres of Illegal Refined Products Seized
In the oil-rich South South, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations against kidnapping, arms trafficking and crude oil theft across Edo, Delta and Rivers states.
Three suspected kidnappers were arrested in Igue/Ikao Community, Owan East LGA of Edo State.
In Delta State, troops intercepted a suspect at the Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge in Asaba, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest.
The military also intensified its offensive against illegal oil refining under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
Three illegal refining sites were dismantled in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.
The operation led to the recovery of approximately 85,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, concealed in eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.
The latest action followed the earlier disruption of two illegal refining sites in the same area.
South East: Troops Dismantle Criminal Hideouts, Clear IEDs
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA continued operations against secessionist elements and illegal oil bunkering networks.
Troops operating along the Odumeje-Eketutu-Udah axis in Orsu LGA of Imo State discovered and safely neutralised multiple Improvised Explosive Devices.
A brief firefight with suspected secessionist elements forced the group to flee into nearby vegetation, with troops recovering a locally made pistol and cartridges.
In Abia State, troops dismantled an illegal bunkering site at Ihie Community in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, recovering motorcycles, suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil and a vehicle, while arresting three suspects.
Troops also raided a suspected hideout at Omoku in Rivers State and arrested two suspects allegedly linked to an earlier attack on soldiers in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.
On August 18, troops recovered a pistol, ammunition and a radio during a raid on a suspected IPOB camp at Eketutu in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
The military recorded another major breakthrough on August 20 when troops conducting clearance operations towards the “Mother Valley” in Ihiala LGA cleared 11 IEDs.
Beyond Combat: Military Deepens Community Engagement
While kinetic operations remained central to the week’s activities, the Armed Forces also continued efforts to strengthen relations with communities hosting military formations.
As part of its Civil-Military Cooperation initiatives, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State.
The project is designed to improve access to clean and potable water and deepen cooperation between the military and local communities.
CDS Commends Troops
Reacting to the operational successes, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops across all theatres for their resilience and commitment to national security.
The CDS expressed appreciation for the successful rescue of abducted citizens, neutralisation of terrorists, dismantling of criminal and secessionist networks and protection of critical national assets.
He also sympathised with families of victims who lost their lives during the operations and wished injured security personnel speedy recovery.
Oluyede further acknowledged the contribution of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local security groups and other stakeholders whose collaboration, according to him, continues to strengthen the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and economic sabotage.
He urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible information to troops.
The Defence Headquarters, meanwhile, assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational tempo until peace, stability and security are fully restored across all theatres of operation.
