The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), in collaboration with sister security agencies, neutralized 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects, and rescued 221 unlawfully abducted civilians during coordinated nationwide operations in May 2026.
The Director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed these developments during a monthly press briefing in Abuja. He noted that the military also recorded the voluntary surrender of 18 terrorists, recovered 93 weapons, destroyed three illegal refining sites, and seized 21,910 liters of assorted petroleum products.
Key Operational Breakthroughs by Region
North East: Operation HADIN KAI
Troops operating in Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, and Yobe states neutralized 73 insurgents, arrested 159, and rescued 112 abductees.
Rescues & Surrenders: Multiple groups of women and children previously abducted from the Ngoshe community in March 2026 were successfully recovered across Bama and Gwoza. On May 23, a Quick Reaction Force thwarted a mass highway kidnapping in Biu, Borno State, safely rescuing 92 commuters and detonating three roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Casualties: Heavily contested engagements in Magumeri and Gujba resulted in significant terrorist casualties, though five soldiers paid the supreme price across both encounters.
North West: Operation FANSAN YAMMA
Aggressive campaigns targeting banditry and terrorism across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states resulted in 24 insurgents neutralized, 13 arrested, and 22 civilians rescued.
Major Arrest: A primary gunrunner supplying military-grade weaponry to notorious bandit kingpins, including Bello Turji, was apprehended at a hospital in Batsari, Katsina State.
Enclave Clearance: Air strikes and ground actions decimated a fortified enclave in Matazu, Katsina State, liberating 32 kidnapped victims and recovering 26 livestock. One soldier was killed during a repelled assault on a forward operating base in Zamfara.
North Central: Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, & WHIRL STROKE
Across the Middle Belt and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), military operations neutralized 17 criminals, arrested 68 suspects, and rescued 52 victims.
Weapons Factory Dismantled: Troops uncovered and dismantled an active, illegal arms-manufacturing complex in Vom, Jos South LGA, arresting five suspects and recovering fabricated AK-47 rifles, pistols, and heavy industrial machinery.
FCT Security Sweep: A joint raid on the Hutu community in Lugbe, Abuja, led to the arrest of 61 criminal suspects alongside the recovery of firearms and communications gear.
Logistics Intercepted: An ammunition courier carrying 500 rounds of concealed NATO ammunition was intercepted on the Obajana-Lokoja road, admitting to supplying terrorist groups along the River Niger corridor.
South-South & South East: Operations DELTA SAFE & UDO KA
Economic Safeguards: In Delta and Rivers states, troops dismantled illegal bunkering operations. Notably, on May 21, a highly modified six-vehicle convoy packed with stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was intercepted near the Eleme Petrochemical Company, resulting in the arrest of the drivers and complicit security personnel.
Secessionist Degradation: In the South East, troops arrested 60 suspects linked to the proscribed IPOB/ESN, neutralized three, and rescued 18 civilians. Incidents included the arrest of a gunrunner carrying illegal Biafran currency in Abia State and the safe dispersal of an obstructive mob during anti-illegal mining arrests in Ebonyi State.
Non-Kinetic and Civil-Military Interventions
To complement active combat, the Nigerian Air Force executed a comprehensive free medical outreach program for internally displaced persons and flood victims in Maiduguri. Additionally, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, the Nigerian Army donated 400 bags of fertilizer to farming communities in Maru, Zamfara State, to support local food production ahead of the 2026 farming season.
DHQ Response to Oyo State Incident and Performance Trends
Addressing a recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, Major General Onoja conveyed the solidarity of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, to the affected families and the state government. He confirmed that advanced aerial surveillance assets and specialized ground forces have been deployed to the area.
”The AFN views any threat to civilian peace as an intolerable affront to national sovereignty,” Onoja stated, adding that proactive operational steps are already yielding valuable intelligence.
Reviewing comparative data for March, April, and May 2026, Defense Headquarters reported a mixed trajectory. While there was a statistical decline in the total number of terrorists neutralized, arms recovered, and refining sites destroyed, the military recorded a distinct increase in criminal arrests, successful civilian rescues, and voluntary terrorist surrenders.
General Oluyede commended the professionalism of the troops, extended condolences to the families of fallen personnel, and urged Nigerian citizens to maintain strong community collaboration by providing timely intelligence to security networks.
