AFN Records Major Milestones In Kinetic Operations, Counter-terrorism, Arrests, Dismantling of Economic Sabotage

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that between 30 March – 2 April 2026, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded significant operational gains spanning kinetic engagements, counter-terrorism arrests, rescue of kidnapped civilians, dismantling of illegal economic sabotage networks, and the interception of criminal logistics pipelines.

Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations, made the assertion during a press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the period of 30 March to 2 April, 2026.

According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained its counter-terrorism operations under the strategic direction of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, across multiple theaters and geopolitical zones. The activities of troops in the theaters are as follows:

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted aggressive kinetic operations against Boko Haram (BH), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (JAS) terrorists across the North East theatre.

On 30 March 2026, troops ambushed terrorist at a crossing point in Gwoza LGA of Borno State, intercepted a group of terrorists mounted on motorcycles, forcing them to abandon one motorcycle, a Tavor rifle magazine, and 19 rounds of ammunition.

Separately, troops conducted a fighting patrol to the Pridang general area in Gwoza LGA, engaging terrorists and neutralising one insurgent during the encounter. Also, troops deployed at Dutsen Kura, Biu LGA observed via CCTV that terrorists were abducting civilians from 17 vehicles along the Buratai–Kamuya Road.

Troops immediately mobilised, pursued the terrorists, and compelled them to abandon their victims, thereby securing the rescued civilians.

Further operations during the period yielded additional gains. On 1 April 2026, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces ambushed a suspected terrorist crossing point around the Gadangari axis in Bama LGA of Borno State, where eight terrorists were neutralised and their logistics suppliers intercepted, with no casualties recorded on the troops’ side.

Also, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir also apprehended two teenage boys who had escaped from a terrorist camp at Dusula due to harsh conditions and were profiled for further action. In a separate cordon-and-search operation at Angwan Rami, Mubi North LGA of Adamawa State, troops arrested three suspected terrorists, including one Alhaji Saleh, who confessed to have participated in the attack in Ngoshe, acting as a double agent, and planning an attack on Mubi Barracks to steal weapons.

Additionally, troops acting on actionable intelligence, apprehended a notorious kidnapper and terrorist leader at Mansur Village, Toungo LGA of Adamawa State, linked to recent attacks on military locations in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State.

Collaboration with the DSS also led to the interception and arrest of a suspected arms courier at the Malmo Checkpoint near Headquarters SOC Base/Airport, Bauchi, with 700 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and fake identity documents.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted counter-insurgency operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, focusing on dismantling terrorist logistics networks and protecting civilian communities.

On 30 March 2026, troops deployed at FOB Sabon Garin responded to reports of an attack on commuters between Sabon Gida and Anguwan Rogo Villages in Kaura Namoda LGA, Zamfara State, successfully engaged the terrorists and rescued five locals.

The following day, troops in conjunction with local vigilantes conducted a coordinated fighting patrol across multiple villages in Mairairai, Dan Makarawa, Yar Maitaba, and Kaboro communities in Kebbi and Zamfara States.

Troops made contact with terrorists at Yar Maitaba and Kaboro, neutralised one insurgent, destroyed five motorcycles, and demolished the hideout of a notorious terrorist kingpin, with no casualties recorded on the troops’ side.

On 31 March 2026, troops deployed at FOB Hannutara, while on patrol in Gobirawan Mai Fulani and Kangon Gabas Villages in Maru LGA, Zamfara State, made contact with terrorists, neutralised one insurgent, and recovered seven mobile phones.

Troops deployed at FOB Dansabau also responded swiftly to a terrorist attack on farmers at the outskirts of Dansabau Village, Kankara LGA of Katsina State, forcing the terrorists to withdraw and recovered two pump-action rifles loaded with cartridges.

On 1 April 2026, troops responded to a distress call from the Chairman of Wurno LGA concerning terrorist activities at Chacho Village, Wurno LGA of Sokoto State, where 17 civilians had been abducted and two others sustained gunshot wounds.

Troops pursued the terrorists and successfully rescued five of the abducted locals before poor visibility halted further advance.

In a separate incident, troops also rescued five injured kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by terrorists along the Dandume–Maigora Road in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State.

The victims were subsequently evacuated to General Hospital Machika for medical attention.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD

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

On 30 March 2026, troops deployed at FOB Patigi received credible intelligence on suspected kidnap activities at Kusogi Village in Patigi LGA of Kwara State.

Troops swiftly mobilised to the location and successfully foiled an attempted kidnapping of a local, arrested two suspected kidnappers in the process.

Two single-barrel guns were recovered from the suspects, who are currently in troops’ custody alongside the recovered exhibits, pending necessary action. The operation continues to maintain sustained pressure on criminal and terrorist elements operating within Kwara and Niger States, disrupting their activities and enhancing the security of vulnerable communities within the theatre.

Troops continue to dominate all key terrain features, patrol routes, and border corridors, in close collaboration with the CJTF, local hunters, and other security agencies.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE

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

On 30 March 2026, troops arrested two individuals; Alhaji Yahaya Bello Shanono, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Mangu, and Salihu Mohammed, Secretary of Miyetti Allah Mangu in connection with the murder of Alhaji Bilyaminu Julde, the Ardo of Gindiri, at Pyem Community in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.

Both suspects are in troops’ custody and are undergoing preliminary investigation. In a separate operation within the theatre, troops responded to a report of the kidnapping of a local woman while returning home with her father along the Dorowa–Babuje Village axis in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

Moving with speed and precision, troops pursued the terrorists who fled on sighting the soldiers, and successfully recovered the kidnapped victim who had been abandoned in the process. The rescued victim was subsequently debriefed and reunited with her family.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE

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

On 29 March 2026, troops deployed at Atabrikang in Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State intercepted a HOWO truck conveying three illegal miners with a consignment of suspected illegally mined black sand.

The suspects and exhibits are in troops’ custody pending further investigation. The following day, troops conducted a patrol at Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, where they uncovered an illegal crude oil refining site and recovered 10,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

Equipment recovered at the site included three small drums, three drum receivers, three coolants, a large reservoir, two galvanised pipes, five hoses, three sacks of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) amounting to approximately 125 litres, and an illegal waste pit.

All recovered items and products were handled appropriately. These operations reinforce the AFN’s commitment to protecting the nation’s economic assets and eliminating criminal networks exploiting the resources of the Niger Delta region.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA

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

On 29 March 2026, troops acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Simon Chukwumeoru Akpoke (alias “IRON”), a suspected IPOB/ESN terrorist, at his hideout within the Ijebu-Igbo general area in Ijebu North LGA of Ogun State.

The suspect is documented on the wanted list of 82 Division Area of Responsibility. On 31 March 2026, troops in conjunction with the Anti-Violence Group, trailed and apprehended a suspected IPOB/ESN member at a checkpoint in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a nurse responsible for providing medical treatment at a terrorist camp located at Umunze in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State.

In a further significant development on 31 March 2026, troops acting on intelligence on the movement of a high-profile IPOB/ESN member, conducted operations at Oraifite in Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State and arrested one Miss Ezinna Anthonia, who confessed to being the principal nurse responsible for treating wounded IPOB/ESN terrorists following every encounter with security forces.

She confirmed her membership of the proscribed group. Significantly, the so-called prime minister of the proscribed group, Ngozi Orabueze, subsequently posted the suspect’s photograph on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, inadvertently corroborating her affiliation with the group.

These arrests represent a significant blow to the medical and logistical support networks sustaining IPOB/ESN operations in the South East.

In conclusion, Major General Onoja noted that the operations conducted across all theatres between 30 March and 2 April 2026 have led to scores of terrorists neutralised across the theatres; over twenty suspects arrested across all theatres, including terrorists, collaborators, arms couriers, illegal miners, and drug traffickers; and multiple civilian victims rescued from kidnappers and terrorist captivity across the theatres.

He conveyed the commendation of the CDS for the resilience of troops.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commends the professionalism, bravery, and dedication of all troops across every operational theatre.

“He urged them to remain vigilant, uphold the rules of engagement, and continue to treat all civilians with dignity and respect.

“The AFN will neither relent nor be deterred in its constitutional mandate to protect every Nigerian and secure the sovereignty of our great nation.

Furthermore, the CDS called on all Nigerians, community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organisations to continue to support the Armed Forces by providing timely and credible intelligence on the activities of terrorists, criminal gangs, and economic saboteurs.

“Together, we shall overcome every threat to our national security. The public is assured that the AFN is committed to the discharge of its sacred duty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.