The Defence Headquarters has said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria repelled multiple attacks, rescued kidnapped victims, and neutralised scores of terrorists, including 74 fighters in Borno State, during operations conducted between March 13 and 19, 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the successes were recorded across various theatres of operation nationwide.
According to him, troops sustained offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves, and other criminal elements through coordinated ground assaults, intelligence-led raids, and precision air strikes.
He said in the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled several attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, including a drone-assisted assault on troops’ position in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
Onoja stated that follow-up operations led to the discovery of 74 terrorist bodies, including senior commanders, as well as the recovery of 38 AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, an RPG tube, and other ammunition.
“In another development, troops in Banki, Bama LGA, successfully repelled a terrorist attack, neutralised several fighters, and recovered arms and ammunition,” he added.
He further disclosed that troops arrested a number of logistics suppliers, informants, and collaborators in Borno and Yobe states, disrupting the operational networks of the insurgents.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised terrorists during a fighting patrol in Zamfara State and rescued four kidnapped victims in Katsina State.
The DHQ spokesman also revealed that troops foiled a kidnap attempt on a cleric, Reverend Nuhu Anche, in Kaduna State, forcing the attackers to flee.
He added that security operatives intercepted a female ammunition courier with 884 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition in Kano, while other suspects linked to terrorist groups were arrested across Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna states.
In the North-Central, troops under Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, and Whirl Stroke recorded successes in Kwara, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa states.
Onoja said troops arrested suspects supplying motorcycles to terrorists in Kwara State and apprehended ammunition couriers in Plateau State.
He added that troops also rescued abducted victims in Plateau and Benue states, thwarted kidnapping attempts, and dismantled an illegal mining site in the Federal Capital Territory, where eight suspects were arrested.
In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested kidnapping suspects, dismantled illegal oil refining sites, and recovered large quantities of illegally refined petroleum products.
He said troops also neutralised a kidnapper and rescued three abducted victims in Delta State, while several suspected drug peddlers were arrested in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.
Similarly, in the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka repelled attacks on suspected terrorist hideouts in Imo State, neutralised IED specialists, and recovered explosives and weapons.
Onoja noted that additional operations in Ebonyi and Cross River states led to the arrest of suspects and recovery of locally fabricated firearms.
He said the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting lives and property, adding that ongoing operations would be intensified to eliminate remaining threats across the country.
The DHQ also called on Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible information, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to operational success.
He added that the military would continue to operate in line with its rules of engagement and international humanitarian laws.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their dedication and paid tribute to personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
