The Nigerian military says its troops rescued more than 360 kidnapped victims, neutralised 102 terrorists, and arrested over 300 suspected terrorists and criminal collaborators during coordinated operations across the country in July.
Speaking at the monthly operational briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja said the military sustained offensive operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to protect lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria sustained operations during the month of July, in furtherance of our constitutional mandate to protect lives, property and the territorial integrity of our great country, Nigeria,” he said.
According to the military, troops recorded “notable successes across the operational theatres,” including the rescue of kidnapped victims, the neutralisation and arrest of terrorists, kidnappers, militias and other criminal elements, as well as the recovery of arms, ammunition and logistics used by criminal groups.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 54 terrorists, arrested 102 suspects, rescued 102 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 57 insurgents and their family members.
Among the most significant operations during the period was the killing of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, during a counter-offensive in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military described the operation as one that “dealt a significant blow to the insurgents’ leadership and information network.”
Troops also destroyed terrorist hideouts, intercepted logistics suppliers, arrested foreign fighters, recovered weapons, ammunition and ransom money, and secured the surrender of a senior ISWAP finance operative, alongside other insurgents who fled sustained military bombardments.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the growing number of surrenders “reflects the effectiveness of ongoing land and air offensives in degrading terrorist capabilities and morale.”
In the North West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 191 kidnap victims, neutralised 33 terrorists, and arrested 66 suspects during operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The operations also led to the rescue of the families of a local government chairman, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, commuters attacked along the Kano-Kaduna highway, and dozens of residents targeted during coordinated kidnapping attempts.
Across the North Central, troops operating under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 11 victims, neutralised eight terrorists, and arrested 18 suspects while disrupting arms trafficking networks in Kwara and Niger states.
Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued 18 kidnap victims, arrested 60 suspects, and intercepted illegal weapons allegedly destined for criminal groups operating in Plateau and Kaduna states.
Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops rescued 24 kidnapped victims, neutralised five terrorists, arrested 70 suspects, and dismantled several criminal camps across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, including the hideout of a notorious terrorist kingpin.
The Defence Headquarters also said troops maintained security along strategic national corridors and transport infrastructure throughout the month.
“The AFN ensured the safety of strategic national corridors and secured interstate road and rail networks for continuous safety of movement of the populace, goods and services,” the military said.
Reaffirming its commitment to the fight against insecurity, the Armed Forces said operations would continue across all theatres until terrorist and criminal networks are dismantled.
It added that sustained military pressure, alongside collaboration with other security agencies and local communities, remains critical to restoring lasting peace and safeguarding lives and property across the country.
