AFN Sustains Counter-terrorism Operations, Rescue Kidnapped Victims, Neutralize Bandits, Arrest Economic Saboteurs In Nationwide Security Operations
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained internal security and counter-terrorism operations across the country and recorded notable successes in all operational theatres.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations made the disclosure in a press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the period covering 17 – 23 July 2026
According to him, during the period, troops conducted offensive operations to neutralize/apprehend terrorists, kidnappers and their collaborators as well as rescue abducted and kidnapped victims.
The operations also led to the recovery of weapons, various types of ammunition, and logistics items intended for use by insurgents, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements.
The AFN also 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.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
In the North East geographical zone, the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI conducted offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Bauchi, Borno and Yobe States. On 12 July 2026, troops countered a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack at Kukawa LGA in Borno State and neutralized Abu Salim Al-Barnawi, a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief. This action dealt a significant blow to the insurgents’ leadership structure and information network.
On 16 July 2026, the Nigerian Army Aviation conducted air strikes on a group of ISWAP/JAS terrorists sighted at Yaganari, Bama LGA, Borno State and neutralised scores of terrorists.
On 17 July 2026, troops foiled an attempt by terrorists to infiltrate into University of Maiduguri during hours of darkness. The encounter led to the neutralization of 2 terrorists while troops have continued to maintain vigilance in the institution to ensure the safety of the students and staff.
On 19 July 2026, troops conducted clearance operations at Layi in Gubio LGA of Borno State and destroyed a terrorist hideout. During the operation, a pump-action gun and 3 AK-47 magazines were recovered while troops on a separate patrol along Paya Kafiya in Yunusari LGA, Yobe State, neutralised a terrorist attempting to flee in a vehicle.
Troops also recorded notable rescues, arrests and recoveries across the theatre. At Amuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA, Borno State, troops carried out three separate rescue operations on 17, 21 and 23 July 2026, freeing a mother with 2 children alongside 2 young girls.
All rescued victims were handed over to the Ngoshe community head, Bulama Mallam Kunda, with one group confirmed to have been held captive since August 2025. In related developments, a woman and her daughter suspected to be family members of terrorists surrendered to troops in Gwoza LGA on 17 July 2026.
Several arrests were also made from 16 – 18 July 2026 to include a suspected ISWAP member in Guzamala LGA, four logistics suppliers in Damasak, Gubio LGA; a wounded terrorist scout at Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA; and a terrorist kingpin/illegal miner in Shishiwaji village of Yobe State.
Troops also apprehended two logistics suppliers in Nzuda, Damboa LGA; a foreign fighter from Sudan and an illegal immigrant from Ghana at Lassa in Askira Uba LGA on 19 July 2026.
Additionally, a female terrorist collaborator was apprehended in Sambisa Forest in Gwoza LGA while twelve suspected kidnappers were arrested in Rafin Chiyawa in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State on 20 July 2026.
Other arrests on 21 July 2026, include five logistics suppliers at Mafa checkpoint, three logistics suppliers at New Abbaram, Bama LGA and a suspected terrorist spy in Damasak. Two collaborators were also apprehended along the Mandaraugirau-Kurtum-Nguma road in Biu LGA on 22 July 2026 while a logistics supplier was arrested along the Maiduguri-Munguno Road in Bama LGA.
Additionally, five suspected kidnappers with three fabricated AK-47 rifles and other weapons were arrested in Jegalari village, Fune LGA of Yobe State on 23 July 2026. All suspects and recovered items are in custody for further investigation.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
In the North West geopolitical zone, Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained operations against terrorist and their collaborators in Kaduna and Zamfara States.
On 17 July 2026, troops arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators operating in the Maro community in Kachia LGA, Kaduna State.
The suspects had confessed to providing information and supplying logistics to terrorists which facilitated target selection and ransom collection. On 18 July 2026, troops in Maru LGA, Zamfara State, countered a terrorist attack mounted on motorcycles, with reinforcements compelling the attackers to flee while troops returned to secure the Sokoto-Gusau Road.
On 20 July 2026, troops on patrol in Kabode and Abrom communities in Kachia LGA, Kaduna State, sighted terrorists who fled into the forest following troops’ effective firepower. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and fifty rounds of ammunition.
On 21 July 2026, troops responded to a distress call on the Gummi-Sokoto Road in Zamfara State, where terrorists had barricaded the route and abducted passengers from a commercial vehicle.
Troops assaulted the assailants, forced their withdrawal and rescued eleven abducted locals with a motorcycle. Operations are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims. On 22 July 2026, troops arrested a terrorist collaborator, Mr Abubakar Tanimu, at a cattle market in Sabuwa in Dogon Dawa, Birni Gwari LGA, Kaduna State, for his alleged role in ransom collection, sale of rustled cattle, target identification and harbouring of terrorists.
The suspect and items recovered, including a motorcycle, were handed over to the Department of State Services for further action.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
In the North Central geopolitical zone, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD sustained pressure on armed criminal elements operating within Kwara State.
On 22 July 2026, troops deployed in Kaiama, in conjunction with local vigilante and forest guard partners, conducted a search and rescue operation in Jonloji area, Aboki town, Kaiama LGA of Kwara State. During the operation, troops made contact with the criminals, neutralised four kidnappers and arrested two, while one kidnap victim was rescued.
The arrested suspects were subsequently handed over to the Police Command in Kaiama for further investigation, while troops continue to sustain patrols and joint operations in the area to forestall a resurgence of kidnapping activities within the theatre.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
In the North Central geopolitical zone, Operation ENDURING PEACE maintained operations to check militia violence and criminality across Plateau State.
On 18 July 2026, troops recovered a locally fabricated rifle and four rounds of ammunition at a suspected terrorist hideout in the Agingi-Dogon Dutse mountainous areas of Bassa LGA, Plateau State.
On 19 July 2026, troops responded to sporadic firing and an ambush by suspected militia and unidentified locals which led to the death of a herder within Tanjol and Jol communities in Riyom LGA, Plateau State. Troops engaged an estimated one hundred assailants for about two hours, forcing them to withdraw into the highlands.
Two herders suspected to be part of the assailants were confirmed killed and two others injured in the encounter.
Troops continue to dominate the general area to restore normalcy and deny the assailants further freedom of action.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
In the North Central geopolitical zone, Operation WHIRL STROKE, recorded successes against kidnappers, militias and armed criminals across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States.
On 17 July 2026, troops rescued a victim at Torkula village along the Nasarawa-Benue border, following a reported kidnap incident at Ornan village in Keana LGA, Nasarawa State.
The same day, troops conducted clearance operations from Abaji, Gbise and TorDonga outposts through Takum LGA, Taraba State, into Tse Togo and Utenge communities in Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State.
The operation led to the neutralization of two terrorists and rescue of three kidnap victims at a terrorist camp across the River Yooyo.
Troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle, a pistol and various ammunition before the camp was destroyed to prevent its use by criminals in the future.
Furthermore, on 17 July 2026, troops conducted clearance operations from Otukpo through Amla Forest to Amula village, Otukpo LGA, Benue State, before proceeding to Amichio village, where five suspected local militia were arrested.
It was later discovered that one of the suspects was linked to an earlier attack on Ankpechi village on 16 July 2026.
On 20 July 2026, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle at Chediya in Wukari LGA, Taraba State, during a raid on the residence of an accomplice of a previously arrested high-value target.
Two rifles were recovered during a separate operation in the same LGA, while a suspect was found with ammunition and arrested along Dema Road in Donga LGA, Taraba State, on the same day.
On 21 July 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist at Osara General Area in Arabi LGA, Kogi State. Troops then arrested 2 logistics suppliers and 2 logistics couriers along the Atsawa–Juku Road in Lokoja LGA, Kogi State, the same day.
Also, troops arrested an informant in Lokoja metropolis and 2 suspected terrorists linked to a local terrorist group at Owara Community, Lokoja LGA. On 23 July 2026, troops on patrol at Tunga in Awe LGA, Nasarawa State, rescued one kidnap victim along the Nasarawa–Benue riverine border.
The abductors fled on sighting the troops, and the rescued victim was handed over to the Nigeria Police, Awe Division, for further investigation.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
In the Niger Delta region, Operation DELTA SAFE sustained the fight against crude oil theft and illegal refining across Rivers State.
On 17 July 2026, troops discovered an illegal refining site comprising equipment used to illegally refine stolen crude oil in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada East LGA, Rivers State.
On 19 July 2026, troops in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Tantita Security Services, discovered five illegal bunkering camps containing storage trampolines, ovens, reservoirs, about twenty-five thousand litres of stolen crude and illegal connections to a pipeline at Egboama and Egbogolo general area in Ahoada West LGA.
The same day, troops recovered stolen crude oil estimated at one hundred and fifty-five litres along with ovens, coolants, reservoirs and pipes in Ogbogolo community in Ahoada East LGA.
Relatedly, on 20 July 2026, troops discovered two thousand litres of products suspected to be illegally refined petroleum products in Okrika, Okrika LGA of Rivers State.
All discovered items were handled in line with the Operation DELTA SAFE mandate.
On 22 July 2026, troops, in collaboration with the NPF, local hunters and the Edo State Security Corps, conducted clearance operations within Otuo Forest in Owan East LGA and the Agor-Igarra-Sassaro Forest in Akoko Edo LGA, Edo State.
This was following a kidnap incident at Agor Bridge on 21 July 2026. Subsequently, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper and arms supplier alongside two other suspects linked to gun running and kidnapping activities.
All suspects were handed over to NPF Otuo Division for processing. Also, on 22 July 2026, troops discovered an illegal refining site in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada East LGA, while a separate operation around Eleme Refinery in Eleme LGA led to the interception of six vehicles conveying products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
This led to the arrest of five suspects who remain in troops’ custody pending handover to the relevant authorities.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
In the South East geopolitical zone, Operation UDO KA sustained operations against separatist agitators and armed criminal elements across Enugu and Abia States.
On 17 July 2026, troops, in collaboration with the NPF, responding to intelligence on IPOB/ESN activities within Imezi Owa community in Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State and apprehended three suspects.
On 23 July 2026, troops raided a forest hideout at Awara Community Waterside along the Omoku-Ogbaku-Ndoni axis in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Rivers State.
The raid operation was part of strangulation operations in the area that led to the recovery of one Lee-Enfield MK 1 rifle, one G3 rifle, 116 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The hideout is believed to have been used for kidnapping and attacks on security agencies. Troops exploited the area with no further items recovered.
In conclusion, Major General Onoja noted that the successes recorded across the operational theatres during the period under review underscore the professionalism of troops of the AFN in the conduct of internal security and counter-terrorism operations nationwide.
The AFN wishes to reassure Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, degrading the capabilities of terrorists, kidnappers, militias and other criminal elements, and restoring lasting peace and stability across all theatres of operations.
The AFN continues to appeal to members of the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities promptly to security agencies, and support ongoing efforts to rid communities of criminal elements. Troops remain resolute and will sustain the tempo of operations until normalcy is fully restored across the country.
