By Gloria Attah
The Defence Headquarters says troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded major successes in military operations across the country in May 2026, intensifying efforts against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and arms trafficking.
At a monthly press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said coordinated intelligence-led offensives across the six geopolitical zones led to the killing and arrest of several insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, gunrunners, and oil thieves, while dozens of kidnapped victims were rescued.
According to the military, troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI in the North East sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba states.
The DHQ disclosed that 73 insurgents were neutralised, 159 suspects arrested, and 112 civilians rescued during combined land and air operations.
Among the major breakthroughs was the rescue of dozens of women and children abducted during previous terrorist attacks in Borno State. Troops also repelled multiple ISWAP attacks in Bama, Magumeri, and Gujba Local Government Areas, recovering anti-aircraft weapons, RPG launchers, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
Military authorities said the sustained offensives were beginning to weaken insurgent networks and morale.
“The period witnessed an unprecedented wave of voluntary terrorist surrenders, powerfully demonstrating the irreversible erosion of insurgent morale under relentless military pressure,” the military stated.
In one of the operations carried out on May 23, troops intercepted terrorists attempting a mass abduction along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno State.
A Quick Reaction Force pursued the attackers and rescued 92 captives, including women and children, while also detecting and detonating improvised explosive devices planted along the route.
The military, however, confirmed that some soldiers lost their lives during clashes with insurgents.
“The attackers were met with overwhelming resistance and the assault was defeated, albeit at the cost of gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation,” the statement added.
In the North West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified offensives against armed groups across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Sokoto states.
The military said 24 terrorists were killed, 13 suspects arrested, and 22 kidnapped victims rescued during operations in the region.
Security authorities also announced the arrest of a prominent gunrunner allegedly supplying weapons to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, describing the development as a major setback for terrorist logistics networks in the North West.
Air strikes and coordinated ground assaults were also said to have destroyed several criminal hideouts in Zamfara State, while troops rescued 32 kidnapped victims from a fortified terrorist enclave in Katsina State.
In the North Central region, troops under Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE intensified crackdowns on kidnapping syndicates and arms traffickers across Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger states, and the Federal Capital Territory.
One of the key discoveries during the operations was the dismantling of an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Troops recovered locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, firearm components, and industrial equipment allegedly used for illegal weapon production.
In Abuja, a joint security raid in the Lugbe area led to the arrest of 61 suspects. Security operatives also recovered firearms, motorcycles, generators, and communication gadgets during the operation.
Troops further intercepted ammunition couriers transporting hundreds of rounds of ammunition concealed inside food items and vehicles across Kogi and Nasarawa states.
Meanwhile, in the South-South region, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations against oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
The military said three illegal refining sites were destroyed, 14 suspects arrested, while more than 21,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered.
Reaffirming its commitment to ongoing military operations nationwide, the Armed Forces said troops would continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements across the country.
The military also urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to strengthen ongoing efforts against insurgency and other security threats.
