By Harriet Tornguvan
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have recorded significant operational successes across multiple theatres, sustaining pressure on terrorist groups and criminal elements between April 10 and 16, 2026.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops intensified coordinated offensives against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other violent groups, resulting in arrests, rescue of kidnapped victims, and the interception of arms and logistics.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI carried out aggressive operations targeting insurgents and their supply networks. A suspect accused of supplying fuel to terrorists for about a decade was arrested in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, with 60 litres of petrol and cash recovered. In Adamawa State, security forces raided criminal hideouts in Mubi North, arresting 20 suspects and recovering cash, weapons, and electronic devices.
Troops also intercepted a truck in Yobe State loaded with medical supplies concealed beneath cement bags and falsely declared as household goods. Military authorities said the items, which included antibiotics and surgical materials, were suspected to be destined for terrorist groups. The driver and three assistants were arrested, while further investigations continue.
Clearance operations across parts of Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba states led to the dismantling of terrorist camps and the arrest of key figures, including a deputy to a notorious kingpin and members of his family.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded breakthroughs in disrupting terrorist logistics. Troops discovered improvised explosive device (IED) materials abandoned in a vehicle in Jigawa State, while a suspect linked to previous attacks on military formations and the abduction of a cleric was arrested in Kaduna State.
Security forces also repelled attacks in Katsina State and apprehended suspected informants in Kebbi. In Zamfara, troops foiled attempts by armed groups to move through forest routes, forcing them to abandon weapons and equipment.
Operations under SAVANNAH SHIELD in Niger State led to the neutralisation of terrorists and the recovery of motorcycles during engagements in forest communities, with no casualties recorded among troops.
In Plateau and Kaduna states, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls, rescued injured victims, and foiled attacks on civilians. Several kidnapped persons were freed during follow-up operations in Plateau and Benue states, while suspects linked to kidnapping were arrested and handed over to the police.
Operation WHIRL STROKE also recorded successes across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Taraba states. Troops raided illegal mining sites in Kogi, arresting suspects with firearms, and neutralised members of a kidnapping syndicate linked to earlier church abductions. Multiple kidnapped victims were rescued during coordinated operations.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted raids and arrests in Edo and Cross River states, recovering motorcycles and ammunition from suspects. Similarly, operations in the South-East under Operation UDO KA targeted criminal elements linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Troops neutralised a suspect in Anambra State and recovered weapons and communication devices.
In Enugu State, a joint operation with the Department of State Services led to the arrest of suspects linked to ransom payments, with cash and firearms recovered.
The military high command said the operations reflect its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment across the country. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olatunbosun Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the momentum in dismantling all terrorist enclaves.
He also reassured Nigerians of the military’s resolve to protect lives and property, while adhering strictly to international humanitarian laws and rules of engagement.
