By Gloria Attah
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says its troops have recorded significant successes in ongoing operations across different parts of the country ravaged by insecurity.
In a press statement made available to newsmen this Friday in Abuja, the director of Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja said troops carried out operations between May 8 and May 14, 2026, neutralising terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims, arresting criminal collaborators and recovering weapons and logistics supplies.
In the Northeast, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP elements across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states.
The military disclosed that troops on ambush along the Banki-Kumshe Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State intercepted a terrorist logistics convoy crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria.
According to the DHQ, the insurgents fled during the encounter, abandoning supplies including fuel, medications, motorcycle parts, food items and communication accessories.
Troops also repelled a coordinated terrorist attack on a military camp in Buni Gari, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The military said five terrorists, including a foreign national, were neutralised during the encounter, while troops recovered a General-Purpose Machine Gun, AK-47 rifle, RPG bombs, over 2,000 rounds of ammunition and cash.
The DHQ further revealed that troops rescued 12 abductees from Ngoshe community in Borno State during separate operations conducted on May 13 and May 14 along the Amuda-Gava corridor following air interdiction missions around the Mandara Mountains.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out multiple offensives against terrorists and bandits in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
The military said troops ‘arrested a suspected terrorist at Damari in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State with an AK-47 magazine, mobile phones and photographs showing him dressed in police uniform alongside armed associates.’
During another operation in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, troops neutralised two terrorists, recovered weapons and rescued 32 kidnapped victims, including women and children, from a terrorist enclave.
Speaking on military operations in the North Central, troops of operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE recorded several arrests and rescue operations across Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi states.
In Niger State, troops repelled a terrorist attack on a military camp in Kafin Koro and recovered ammunition, motorcycles and communication equipment.
Security forces also arrested suspected kidnappers and terrorist collaborators in Nasarawa, Plateau and Kwara states, including a suspected gunrunning kingpin arrested in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
‘In Kogi State, troops neutralised a suspected terrorist during an ambush operation along the Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi Road and recovered rifles, ammunition, communication gadgets and cash.’
The military also rescued two kidnap victims, including a senior police officer identified as ASP Usman Ogbobi of PMF 44 Force Headquarters Abuja, in Benue State.
In the oil rich South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued a kidnapped victim during an operation around a hotel in Edo State after kidnappers fled upon sighting soldiers.
Troops also recovered about 1,500 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil in Akwa Ibom State, allegedly traced to theft from Sterling Petrochemical and Fertilizer Limited.
In Rivers State, troops uncovered illegal oil bunkering sites, recovering crude oil and galvanised pipes valued at about N600 million suspected to be used for crude oil theft.
In the Southeast, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against IPOB and ESN elements in Abia and Anambra states.
The military disclosed that troops arrested suspects linked to illegal weapons possession and kidnapping activities.
One suspect arrested in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State was found with N830,000 and a mobile phone after troops pursued kidnappers who abducted a victim from the Ohiya Forest axis.
Beyond kinetic operations, the Armed Forces says it also carried out humanitarian and community support programmes.
The Nigerian Air Force conducted a medical outreach in Maiduguri, providing free medical consultations, medications, dental and eye care services to residents, including displaced persons and flood victims.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State to support agricultural activities ahead of the 2026 farming season.
The military high command therefore called on Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence while assuring citizens that the military remains committed to protecting lives, property and national unity.
