Insecurity: AFN Records Significant Operational Successes Across Theatres Of Operations
… Displayed resolute military commitment to restoring peace, stability, and confidence across the nation.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria continued to record significant and far-reaching operational successes across all theatres of operation between 18 and 25 June 2026. Spanning counter-terrorism, counter-banditry, counter-kidnapping, economic sabotage interdiction, and anti-proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in his weekly press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the period covering 18 and 25 June, 2026, stated that the achievements recorded during this period reflect the enduring commitment of a professional and resolute military commitment to restoring peace, stability, and confidence across every geopolitical zone of the nation.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded remarkable successes that underscore the progressive degradation of terrorist operational capacity in the Lake Chad Basin and Borno State. On 19 June 2026, two teenage girls believed to be family members of terrorists surrendered to troops at Pulka in Gwoza LGA of Borno State, disclosing that sustained military pressure and the denial of basic necessities within terrorist camps had rendered continued resistance untenable.
On the same date, troops on routine patrol in the Ngoshe community successfully rescued two women and three children who had been abducted during a terrorist attack on the community in March 2026, reuniting them with the local community head.
In a particularly significant operation on 21 June 2026, a fighting patrol to the Jemu area in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, resulted in the recovery and safe evacuation of 27 surrendered terrorists and their family members, comprising 12 adults and 15 children, who were subsequently airlifted to Maiduguri for medical attention and processing.
On 21 June 2026, troops also rescued 8 additional escapees, including a male toddler and a widow of a Civilian Joint Task Force member killed in the March 2026 attack.
Troops equally recorded decisive kinetic and law enforcement gains between 18 – 25 June 2026.
On 18 June 2026, troops repelled a coordinated simultaneous terrorist attack on multiple locations in Buratai District of Biu LGA, Borno State, engaging the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw, and recovered an AK-47 rifle and over 200 rounds of assorted ammunition.
On 24 June 2026, troops along the Buratai-Kamuya road rescued 53 civilians, including 20 adult males, 28 adult females, and 5 children, alongside 8 hijacked vehicles. On 22 June 2026, two suspected terrorist spies were neutralized by troops at Banki in Bama LGA of Borno State, after they were observed crossing the border fence into Nigeria in a bid to monitor troop movements and procure supplies for terrorist elements.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded a series of commendable successes between 19 and 23 June 2026.
On 20 June 2026, troops arrested four suspected terrorists in Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara State and, responding to a planned attack on Gamdanda village in Gummi LGA, successfully pre-empted the assault by springing an ambush, engaging the approaching terrorists, forcing them to withdraw, and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, 11 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, eight motorcycles, a desert jungle hat, and food supplies.
In a simultaneously coordinated covert operation on 20 June 2026, troops arrested three suspects with demonstrated links to terrorist activities during the arrival and processing of a pilgrim flight at Gusau International Airport in Zamfara State, demonstrating the multi-dimensional and all-domain reach of security operations in the zone.
Clearance operations in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State on 20 and 21 June 2026 led to the interception of two suspected bandits on motorcycles with incriminating materials on their devices, and the subsequent apprehension of two terrorist scouts: one found wearing camouflage along with a motorcycle.
The Northwest theatre recorded further significant kinetic successes with the neutralization of terrorist elements in Katsina and Zamfara States between 21 and 23 June 2026.
On 21 June 2026, a raid operation on a hideout in Dambatta LGA of Kano State resulted in the arrest of a suspected terrorist and the recovery of two locally fabricated firearms, a Dane gun, four live cartridges and identity documents.
On 22 June 2026, a raid on a bandit enclave in Ginchawa village, Matazu LGA of Katsina State, resulted in the neutralization of two bandits, with others fleeing bearing gunshot wounds, and the recovery of two PKT machine guns, an AK-47 magazine, 75 rounds of linked (NATO) ammunition, three motorcycles and a camouflage uniform.
A follow-up operation on the same date neutralized two additional terrorists on the outskirts of Matazu town. On 23 June 2026, troops sprung an ambush in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State, captured a PKT gun, two motorcycles, chains used on kidnap victims, and eight pairs of military uniforms, the latter clearly indicative of attempts by criminal elements to impersonate security personnel.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded a decisive operational success in Ogun State on 24 June 2026.
Following a kidnapping incident at Ogbe village in Obafemi Owode LGA, a rapid clearance operation was launched to flush out the criminal elements responsible.
Troops made contact with the kidnappers at their forest hideout and, in the ensuing engagement, neutralized two kidnappers while others fled bearing gunshot wounds.
Items recovered included a single-barrel gun, cartridges, mobile phones, and the sum
of ₦2,200,000 in cash, clear evidence of the financial incentives driving kidnapping in the region, while determined pursuit of the fleeing suspects remains ongoing.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded a significant intelligence-led arrest on 21 June 2026, when a suspected terrorist was intercepted at a checkpoint in Gwagwalada Area Council.
The suspect, who attempted to bribe troops to evade search heightened suspicion which prompted a more intensive screening and was found in possession of three mobile phones. Forensic examination of his mobile devices revealed photographs of the suspect and other individuals brandishing arms, ammunition, and large sums of cash, providing compelling evidence of his involvement in terrorist activities.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded significant interdiction and law enforcement successes that disrupted the illegal movement of arms across the country. On 21 June 2026, troops tracked and intercepted a vehicle along the Sokoto-Kano highway.
Notwithstanding the courier’s escape on foot, a search of the abandoned vehicle yielded two AK-47 rifles, nine AK-47 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, two Beretta pistols with 9mm ammunition, two Baofeng handheld radios, and three camouflage jackets.
This interception has demonstrably disrupted a significant arms supply pipeline into the North Central zone.
Complementary law enforcement and joint security efforts in Nasarawa and Kogi States further strengthened the security architecture within the region.
On 22 June 2026, security forces on routine patrol along the Toto-Abaji road in Nasarawa State arrested a suspect found with 174 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition who could provide no satisfactory account of its source or destination, with intensive investigation ongoing to unravel the wider criminal network.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recorded multiple significant successes between 19 and 25 June 2026 spanning petroleum product theft, kidnapping, and arms interdiction.
Troops delivered major blows to illicit fuel distribution networks in Rivers State. On 19 June 2026, operatives from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER intercepted a wooden boat attempting to discharge cargo under suspicious circumstances at the APS Limited Jetty in Woji. Inspection of the vessel revealed 375 sacks containing an estimated 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
Similarly, on 22 June 2026, personnel from NNS SOROH acting on credible intelligence along the Orashi Forest corridor in Okolomade Community, Abua-Odua LGA of Rivers State intercepted a silver Toyota Camry packed with 17 sacks of illegal diesel.
A further search of the surrounding dense vegetation uncovered hidden storage points holding an additional 56 sacks, culminating in a total recovery of 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO.
On 22 June 2026, troops intercepted a truck conveying 45,000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO along the Itu-Calabar road in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State, disrupting what appears to be a large-scale petroleum product theft syndicate targeting critical national resources.
On the same date, troops arrested two suspected kidnappers at Ososo community in Akoko-Edo LGA of Edo State, following their identification by a victim, Mrs. Success Sikiru, who had been abducted along with her husband and infant by the suspects along the Egbetua-Okpella road on 11 May 2026. Items recovered from the suspects included syringes and drug tablets, indicating a pattern of chemical incapacitation of victims, a particularly disturbing practice that speaks to the premeditated and predatory nature of the criminal network.
On 23 June 2026, troops conducted a successful rescue operation at a suspected kidnapper’s hideout in Uhiere Forest, Ovia North-East LGA of Edo State, freeing two kidnapped individuals; Mr. Friday Agbiloson and Mr. Hammed Salisu after the kidnappers abandoned them and fled on sighting the troops’ advance.
Capping the week’s operational activities in the South-South, a joint raid operation conducted on 25 June 2026 at Balep community in Ikom LGA of Cross River State resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of two Dane guns, a locally made pistol, a woodland camouflage jacket, six cartridges and web equipment.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
Troops of Operation UDO KA conducted interdiction operations between 18 and 23 June 2026, demonstrating sustained resolve in combating armed secessionist activity and criminality in the zone.
On 18 June 2026, troops in conjunction with local vigilantes executed a clearance operation along the Okwusi-Akpe Aggah-Egbema axis on the Imo-Rivers States boundary, targeting camps of armed miscreants.
A suspected logistics courier was arrested during the operation, but upon being engaged to lead troops to a criminal camp, he attempted to escape and was neutralized in the process.
A motorcycle and mobile phone recovered during the operation are being subjected to forensic exploitation to generate intelligence for follow-up actions.
On 23 June 2026, troops made contact with IPOB/ESN members dressed in military and police uniforms and perpetrating violence across Anambra State aboard a white Toyota Sienna vehicle along the Ogboji-Ajali road in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State.
In the ensuing engagement, three terrorists were neutralized while a significant cache of arms and materials were recovered including a PKM machine gun with 53 rounds of linked ammunition, two AK-47 rifles, 42 rounds of assorted ammunition, four improvised explosive devices, a white Toyota Sienna vehicle, ten Android mobile phones, Nigeria Police Force uniforms, and other items.
AIR INTERDICTION
In support of ground operations in the Northwest, the Nigerian Air Force conducted air interdiction missions in Kaduna State during the period. On 19 June 2026, in the Kidandan area of Yadi Forest in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State, airpower assets sighted terrorists on motorcycles and trailed them to their forest hideout, where a precision strike was executed, neutralizing the terrorists and their stores.
Similarly, on 22 June 2026, airpower assets were deployed to assist ground troops in contact with terrorists in the Kidandan area, where four terrorists on motorcycles were tracked to a hideout and neutralized while the remainder fled the scene.
Local communities in the affected areas have expressed profound appreciation for the air interdiction operations, which have significantly disrupted the operational freedom of terrorist and bandit elements in Giwa and its environs in Kaduna State.
CONCLUSION
The successes recorded across all operational theatres between 18 and 25 June 2026 indicate the tenacity and dedication of troops deployed across the length and breadth of the country.
The achievements of the period spanning the neutralization of terrorist elements, the rescue of civilians from captivity, the disruption of logistics and intelligence networks, the interception of arms and illegal economic activities, and the voluntary surrender of terrorist fighters, collectively reflect the steady and irreversible degradation of criminal and terrorist organizations in the country.
The AFN remains resolutely committed to the pursuit of all violent elements and will continue to intensify collaborative engagements with other security agencies, community stakeholders, traditional institutions, and strategic partners to consolidate these gains and achieve the lasting peace that all Nigerians deserve.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, commends the gallantry and discipline demonstrated by troops across all theatres during the period.
He extends his heartfelt appreciation to the civilian communities, the Civilian Joint Task Force, local vigilante groups, and all security agencies whose cooperation and invaluable intelligence contributions have been critical enablers of the successes reported herein.
General Oluyede reassures the Nigerian public and the international community that the DHQ will sustain and intensify its operational tempo against all threats to national security until every theatre is stabilized, displaced persons are able to return to their homes, and every Nigerian can live in freedom, safety, and dignity. He wishes troops in the field continued strength, safety, and the unrelenting will to succeed in the noble cause of defending the nation.
