Troops Maintain Relentless Pressure Against Terrorists, Insurgents, Kidnappers Secessionists, Others

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that troops operating across the operational theaters, maintained relentless pressure on Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Jamā’at Ahlis Sunnah Liddda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), violent extremist insurgents, kidnappers, and secessionist armed elements.

Major Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations, explained during a press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the period covering 10 – 16 Aoril 2026, that the operations, yielded the arrest of numerous suspects, the rescue of kidnapped victims, the interception of large consignments of terrorist logistics, and the neutralisation of armed criminals, all in an effort to create a Safe and Secure Environment (SASE).

According to him, the activities of troops in the theaters are as follows:

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained aggressive and unrelenting kinetic campaign against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorist elements across the Northeast theatre.

On 10 April 2026, troops conducting logistics strangulation operations in Gubio town, Gubio LGA of Borno State, arrested a suspect who confessed to supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to terrorists over a period of about 10 years.

Items recovered from the suspect included 60 litres of PMS, a mobile phone, and cash. Also, on 10 April 2026, troops raided suspected criminal hideouts at Angwan Rami and Angwan Mallam in Mubi North LGA of Adamawa State. Twenty suspects were arrested and several items, including mobile phones, an ATM card, a laptop computer, a machete, and cash amounting to N2,137,285 were recovered.

On 11 April 2026, troops arrested 3 suspected terrorist informants at Ngirboa in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, who had been observed trailing and identifying troops’ movement patterns.

A significant interception was recorded on 11 April 2026, when troops deployed at a Forward Operating Base in Nguru LGA of Yobe State intercepted a trailer truck carrying a large consignment of medical supplies concealed beneath 48 bags of cement.

The waybill accompanying the consignment falsely declared the cargo as beverages and household items from Kano enroute to Geidam, Yobe State.

A thorough search revealed hundreds of cartons of medical supplies including antibiotics, injectable medications, sterile drips, surgical consumables, and antimalarials ostensibly intended for terrorist elements.

The driver and 3 motor boys were taken into custody for investigation, while the consignor was invited to provide further information.

In operations between 14 and 16 April 2026, troops conducted clearance operations within the Dan Madam and Dajin Madam/Kumbodoro Forests spanning Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba States, dismantling multiple terrorist camps, neutralising terrorists, and capturing family members of terrorist elements.

Notably, the deputy ring leader to a notorious terrorist kingpin, along with his wife, was arrested in Gombe State by a tactical team, following sustained operational pressure on their network.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA continued to operate across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, systematically dismantling terrorist logistics networks while safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure.

On 10 April 2026, a vehicle was sighted parked suspiciously near Tsamiyar Nasara Village in Kazaure LGA of Jigawa State.

When locals approached, the driver fled, prompting troops to search the vehicle and discovered seven bags containing IED-making materials including detonating cords, explosives, and electrical detonators.

The suspected driver subsequently surrendered to troops, and investigations revealed that the owner of the goods had fled on sighting troops.

Also, on 10 April 2026, in Banikawa, troops apprehended a fleeing suspect, who confessed to involvement in terrorist activities including complicity in the killing of troops at a Forward Operating Base in December 2024 and the abduction of a Reverend father in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State.

Three additional suspected violent extremist insurgents were also arrested in Kagarko on 9 April 2026.

On 10 April 2026, troops responded to a terrorist attack on locals at Matazu Main Town in Matazu LGA of Katsina State, crushing the attack.

Clearance operations conducted on 13 April 2026 to Tunga Ataka and Mashayan Iska Villages in Bagudo LGA of Kebbi State led to the arrest of 11 suspected terrorist informants.

On 16 April 2026, troops engaged terrorists attempting to cross towards the Kagara Forest along the Shinkafi-Moriki road in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State, forcing them to abandon a motorcycle and loaded ammunition magazine.

A near-simultaneous follow-on operation in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State successfully disrupted the movement of another terrorist group towards Maniya Village, as troops’ crushed the criminals.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD

Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD intensified counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across Kwara and Niger States, extending their operational reach into forested corridors and border communities known to harbour criminal and terrorist elements.

On 14 April 2026, troops operating in Borgu LGA of Niger State conducted clearance operations to Dekara Village, Dongoru, Bakimba, Jigga, Gidan Kambarawa, and Masaka (Kpenya) Villages.

A blocking force established at Baturen Daji made contact with terrorists along the Masaka–DeKara road, and crushed them.

While withdrawing to base, troops countered a terrorist ambush, leading to the capture of 9 motorcycles and two suspected terrorists were taken into custody during the operation. No troop casualties were recorded.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE sustained robust operations across Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna, maintaining a strong operational presence in vulnerable communities and key transit corridors.

On 12 April 2026, troops responded to reports of sporadic shootings along the Huke-Rewienko road in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, rescuing one injured victim who was evacuated to a health facility.

On the same date, troops in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State foiled a terrorist attack on a herder at Rasa Village, rescuing the wounded victim who was evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

On 13 April 2026, a suspected kidnapper was tracked and arrested at Mayir Village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.

Significantly, on 14 April 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist’s wife at Kukawa Village in Wase LGA of Plateau State, leading to the interception of a live telephone communication from a suspected terrorist attempting to facilitate her extraction.

A follow-on operation on 15 April 2026 in the same area led to contact with terrorists who abandoned 4 kidnapped victims when engagement; all victims were safely reunited with their families.

An additional 2 kidnapped victims were rescued during a night patrol in Ukum LGA of Benue State on 15 April 2026.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained robust security operations across Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, and parts of Kogi States, addressing farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, and kidnapping.

Troops conducted a raid on an illegal mining site at Taki in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State, arresting three suspects found in possession of locally-made firearms, ammunition, and assorted items.

On the same date, vigilantes operating in conjunction with troops in Karshi, FCT, arrested two suspected kidnappers and weapon smugglers found to be members of an arms and ammunition trading syndicate operating through social media.

An ambush operation on 13 April 2026 in Kabba-Bunu LGA of Kogi State, premised on intelligence relating to the December 2025 church kidnap incident at Aiyetoro Kiri Community, resulted in the neutralisation of 2 confirmed members of the kidnapping syndicate who were positively identified by previous victims.

On 14 April 2026, a follow-on operation at Ofere Village in the same LGA led to the rescue of 2 kidnapped victims abandoned by fleeing terrorists.

Troops also responded to a kidnap incident at Nagazi Farm Centre in Adavi LGA, where terrorists had killed one local and abducted his three sons; troops pursued the perpetrators, who abandoned their victims, enabling their rescue and reunion with their family.

A kidnapped victim in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State also self-escaped from his abductors and was recovered by troops on routine patrol at Okunran on 14 April 2026.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations aimed at combating criminality, protecting critical national infrastructure, and denying criminal elements freedom of action within the South-South region.

On 14 April 2026, troops conducted a cordon-and-search operation at a settlement in Esan West LGA of Edo State, in conjunction with local hunters, during which a suspected criminal identified as Mohammed Majoa was arrested and six motorcycles recovered.

The suspect and recovered items were handed over to the relevant police division for further action.

On 14 April 2026, troops conducting a stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint in Boki LGA of Cross River State arrested a female suspect in possession of 25 cartridges, which she claimed to have purchased in Aba, Abia State, while travelling by motorcycle towards Abo-Ebam Community.
The suspect is being held for further investigation.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA

1Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against criminal elements associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

On 13 April 2026, troops conducted a fighting patrol targeting terrorist activities at Umuogem Umuonyeoka, Ufuma in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State.

The terrorists fled on sighting troops, prompting a tactical deceptive withdrawal followed by a re-assault that achieved surprise.

Troops engaged with heavy fire, neutralised one terrorist while forcing others to flee. Items recovered at the scene included a pump-action rifle, a riot gun, four live cartridges, a smoke tear gas canister, two motorcycles, four mobile phones, and a power bank, all indicative of an active armed cell operating within the area.

On 14 April 2026, following liaison with the Department of State Services in Delta State, troops in Adani, Uzo Uwani LGA of Enugu State, conducted a targeted raid after electronically tracking ransom proceeds paid for a kidnapped victim.

The operation led to the arrest of the suspect’s brother and a female suspect at the scene; a search of the premises yielded one pump-action rifle and N2m in cash.

Both suspects and all recovered items were handed over to the relevant divisional police stations for further investigation.

In conclusion, Major General Onoja stated that the collective operational outcomes recorded across all theatres between 10 and 16 April 2026 demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the AFN to the protection of lives and property, the degradation of terrorist and criminal infrastructure, and the restoration of peace and normalcy to all affected communities.

According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olatunbosun Olufemi Oluyede, while commending troops for their professionalism, bravery, and operational dedication, charged all personnel to sustain the momentum of operations with greater vigour, ensuring that every remaining terrorist enclave is dismantled and all fleeing insurgents and criminals are tracked, engaged, and neutralised within the ambit of the law and in accordance with the Rules of Engagement, the Rome Statutes and other International Humanitarian Laws.

Furthermore, the Chief of Defence Staff expresses deep gratitude to the Nigerian people for their unwavering faith in the mission, resilience, and patriotism of the AFN and reassures all Nigerians that the military remains irrevocably committed to delivering the peace, safety, and security that every citizen deserves.