AFN Decimates Terrorists, Bandits, Kidnappers, Sustains Operations Against Oil Theft, Other Forms Of Criminality Nationwide
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained significant operational successes across all theatres of operations nationwide, between 14 – 20 August 2026.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations, made the assertions at the press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the period covering 14 – 20 August, 2026.
According to him, these successes were achieved in sustained campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality, and reflect the unwavering resolve of troops to secure lives, property and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
In the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained operations against terrorism and armed criminality across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe States, recording several successful engagements and rescue operations.
On 14 August 2026, troops and local security groups conducted clearance operations in Gwamnare Forest, Ningi LGA of Bauchi State, where they rescued three kidnapped victims and recorded the escape and reunification of five others with their families. However, two victims were tragically killed by their captors prior to the intervention.
A follow-up engagement neutralised one kidnapper, while one local security group member sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated for treatment. On 15 August 2026, troops countered a two-pronged terrorist attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu LGA of Borno State.
Troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other war materiel. On the same day, troops engaged kidnappers at Maigero Village in Song LGA of Adamawa State, forced their withdrawal and recovered ammunition and items used to restrain victims.
On 17 August 2026, troops rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national who had been abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis in Dikwa LGA of Borno State. Troops further recovered an abandoned AK-47 rifle at Ngurusoye Village in the same LGA.
- Between 16 – 20 August 2026, a total of 47 terrorist family members, comprising women and children, surrendered to troops at locations including Amuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA and Mafa in Mafa LGA of Borno State, citing hunger, insecurity and factional clashes within terrorist enclaves as reasons for fleeing.
All were documented and handed over to relevant authorities for further action. Similarly, between 15 – 20 August 2026, six terrorist fighters surrendered to troops in Kukawa LGA of Borno State.
A cordon and search operation on 20 August 2026 around Bewac along the Al-Ansar University-Baga Road in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State, similarly led to the arrest of a suspect found in possession of ammunition.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified operations against terrorism and kidnapping across Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, recording significant clearance operations, rescues and armed engagements.
On 14 August 2026, troops also engaged terrorists at Kurudu village in Kankia LGA of Katsina State and neutralised two terrorists.
In a related development, between 14 – 15 August 2026, troops conducting clearance operations around Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji LGAs of Zamfara State neutralised two terrorists at Garin Kaso Village and recovered rifles, ammunition and motorcycles. In a series of rescue operations
between 17 – 19 August 2026, troops recovered a combined total of 28 abducted victims across Bukkuyum LGA in Zamfara State, Sabuwa and Kankara LGAs in Katsina State, and Isa LGA in Sokoto State, with all victims subsequently handed over to local authorities for reunification with their families.
On 14 August 2026, troops arrested a suspect conveying 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, destined for terrorists in Katsina State.
On 15 August 2026, another suspect was arrested at Gusau in Zamfara State in connection with the same explosives supply chain. On 16 August 2026, troops arrested suspected collaborators of a notorious terrorist kingpin along the Sakajiki-Kwanar Guiwa Road in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State, recovering cash and motorcycles intended for onward delivery to the kingpin’s camp.
Further exploitation led to the arrest of six additional informants linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family and staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.
On 19 August 2026, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant at Shanono LGA of Kano State, for allegedly monitoring troop deployments and equipment on behalf of terrorists.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained operations against kidnapping and armed criminality across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.
On 14 August 2026, troops conducting search and rescue operations across Ofu and Dekina LGAs of Kogi State compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims.
The victims comprised two men, five women and six children, who had been abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road on 11 August 2026.
The victims were subsequently taken to the Palace of the Onu of Abocho for further action. On 18 August 2026, troops countered an attack by suspected kidnappers on Assakio community in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State, neutralising the gang leader while two other members escaped with gunshot wounds.
On 19 August 2026, troops neutralised a terrorist at Kyado in Ukum LGA of Benue State, during an operation targeting a criminal gang, forcing the remaining members to flee and abandon a motorcycle.
In operations to disrupt arms trafficking networks and kidnappers, on 14 August 2026, troops arrested an arms courier at Bubuwa in Wukari LGA of Taraba State, while attempting to purchase ammunition from a previously apprehended gunrunner.
On 17 August 2026, troops recovered a cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, during a raid on a suspected hideout at Nasarawo in Jalingo LGA of Taraba State. On 19 August 2026, troops arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village in Logo LGA of Benue State, in connection with the attempted abduction of a local resident, troops recovered a locally fabricated pistol, mobile phones and other items.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE maintained a robust security presence in Plateau State to forestall communal clashes and violent attacks on rural communities.
On 17 August 2026, troops responded to gunfire at Rafin Bauna Village in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, forcing unidentified gunmen to flee and rescued a victim who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The victim was evacuated to hospital for treatment. On 20 August 2026, troops responded to a reported attack by suspected herders’ militia on Mwar Community in Chakfem Kingdom in Mangu LGA of Plateau State, following the rustling of cattle by local indigenes. Surveillance assets were deployed and conducted raids on the residences of identified suspects.
During the raid, an assortment of firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition were recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD sustained operations against terrorism and kidnapping in Kwara State.
On 18 August 2026, troops on a fighting patrol engaged terrorists at Alabe Idera in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, neutralised one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle.
Also, on the same day, troops on night patrol within the Latandaji area of Patigi LGA of Kwara State, rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in the nearby bushes.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
In the South South geopolitical zone, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations against kidnapping, arms trafficking and crude oil theft across Edo, Delta and Rivers States.
On 14 August 2026, troops arrested three suspected kidnappers at Igue/Ikao Community in Owan East LGA of Edo State and handed them over for further action.
On 19 August 2026, troops intercepted and arrested a suspect at the Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge in Asaba LGA of Delta State, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest.
In a sustained maritime offensive under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, troops disrupted three illegal refining sites in the Egbema Axis of the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of Rivers State. Approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, concealed within eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs were recovered.
The operation followed an earlier disruption of two illegal refining sites within the same area, underscoring the AFN’s sustained commitment to degrading illegal refining networks and protecting the nation’s critical petroleum assets.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
In the South East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against secessionist agitators and illegal oil bunkering syndicates across Abia, Anambra, Imo and Rivers States.
On 14 August 2026, troops on patrol along the Odumeje-Eketutu-Udah axis in Orsu LGA of Imo State, discovered and safely disarmed multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
Troops also made contact with suspected secessionist elements who fled into nearby vegetation after a brief firefight. A locally made pistol and cartridges were recovered.
Similarly, on 15 August 2026, troops dismantled an illegal bunkering site at Ihie Community in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State, recovered motorcycles, suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil, a vehicle and arrested three suspects. On 17 August 2026, troops raided a hideout at Omoku in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, arresting two suspects linked to an earlier attack on troops in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.
Additionally, on 18 August 2026, troops recovered a pistol, ammunition and a radio during a fighting patrol to an IPOB camp at Eketutu in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. On 20 August 2026, troops conducting clearance operations towards the “Mother Valley” in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, cleared 11 IEDs.
ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA CIVIL-MILITARY COOPERATION (CIMIC) ACTIVITIES
In furtherance of the AFN Civil-Military cooperation and community development efforts, on 14 August 2026, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State, during the period under review.
The initiative, which provides the community with improved access to clean and potable water, demonstrates the AFN’s commitment to the welfare of host communities and further strengthen the relationship between the AFN and the communities it serves.
CONCLUSION
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, commends the unrelenting resolve of troops across all theatres of operations for these remarkable successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists, dismantling criminal and secessionist networks, and safeguarding the nation’s critical assets.
He sympathises with the families of the victims who lost their lives during the period, and with other security personnel injured in the course of duty, wishing them a speedy recovery.
The CDS commends the sustained collaboration between troops and other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, local security groups and other stakeholders, whose synergy continues to yield tangible results in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and economic sabotage.
He also commends the media for their continued professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations, and appeals to members of the public and traditional and community leaders to continue providing useful information to troops to enhance the security architecture nationwide.
The AFN reassures all citizens of its unwavering commitment to sustaining the current tempo of operations until peace, stability and security are fully restored across all theatres of operations.
