AFN Records Significant Successes Across Theatres Of Operations Against Terrorists, Bandits Kidnappers, Oil Theft, Others
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported successes across all active theaters of operations nationwide by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) between August 20 to 27, 2026.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations, made this known at the press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the period covering 20 – 27 August, 2026.
According to him, these successes were achieved in the 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 the nation.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
In the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained aggressive operations against terrorism across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe States.
On 22 August 2026, troops intercepted eight abductees, comprising three women and five children, around Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
On the same day, troops rescued three minors who had escaped from terrorist enclaves near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA. Between 23 and 27 August 2026, troops also arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, spies and fighters in Biu, Guzamala and Damboa LGAs of Borno State, as well as Michika LGA of Adamawa State.
On 27 August 2026, troops repelled an attempted terrorist infiltration along the Gulumba Gana axis in Dikwa LGA of Borno State, neutralising one terrorist, while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.
All rescued persons were handed over to camp officials and community leaders for further care.
Meanwhile, during a clearance operation conducted between 26 and 27 August 2026 at Kopre Mountain in Hong LGA of Adamawa State, troops neutralised 21 terrorists, destroyed their camp and recovered six AK-47 rifles, 23 magazines and 586 rounds of ammunition.
In related operations, troops recorded multiple surrenders and arrests of suspected terrorists and their collaborators.
Between 22 and 25 August 2026, a terrorist leader, several fighters and their family members surrendered to troops at Kumburi, Bula Daloye and New Abaram Resettlement Village in Bama LGA of Borno State.
The surrendering terrorists cited sustained military pressure and internal clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for their decision.
On 25 August 2026, troops, in conjunction with the Department of State Services, arrested a suspected kidnapper at Madara Village in Katagum LGA of Bauchi State.
On 27 August 2026, troops arrested two suspected logistics suppliers linked to a notorious terrorist leader in Bauchi LGA of Bauchi State.
However, both suspects were neutralised while attempting to escape from custody.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained large-scale operations against kidnapping and terrorism across Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara States, recording numerous rescue operations during the period.
On 22 August 2026, troops rescued six abducted victims along the Dandume-Sheme Road in Dandume LGA of Katsina State, recovering ₦800,000 earlier collected from the victims by their captors.
On 23 August 2026, troops rescued six victims at Gadan Manya village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, three of whom sustained minor injuries.
On 24 August 2026, troops rescued three abducted children at Kachia LGA of Kaduna State, and reunited them with their families.
On 25 August 2026, troops rescued 14 abducted victims at Magazu village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, one of whom sustained gunshot wounds.
On 26 August 2026, troops rescued two female captives at Hayin Babangida in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. However, a male farmer abducted in the same incident was tragically found dead from gunshot wounds before he could be rescued.
In related operations, troops disrupted arms trafficking and kidnapping networks across the theatre.
On 23 August 2026, troops intercepted disassembled canoes suspected to belong to a terrorist kingpin along the Zamfara-Kebbi Axis and arrested three suspected gunrunners along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi Road with an assault rifle concealed in a bag of millet, destined for a terrorist kingpin in Zamfara State.
On the same day, troops arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin, Mallam Sanusi Mai Glass, and his associate at Dutsinma LGA of Katsina State, recovering one vehicle.
On 25 August 2026, troops arrested two suspected terrorists at Maradun LGA of Zamfara State, recovering firearms, communication equipment and cash, with incriminating images and videos also recovered from a suspect’s mobile phone.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained operations against kidnapping, terrorism and arms trafficking across Benue, Kogi and Taraba States.
On 22 August 2026, troops arrested an accomplice of a previously apprehended gunrunner at Dorowa in Wukari LGA of Taraba State, who confessed to supplying four AK-47 rifles and about 6,000 rounds of ammunition.
On 23 August 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist and his courier around Okene LGA of Kogi State.
Between 24 – 26 August 2026, troops rescued two kidnap victims in separate operations within Lokoja LGA of Kogi State, recovering a weapon abandoned by fleeing captors.
On 27 August 2026, troops engaged suspected terrorists at Ahungwa in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State, neutralised one terrorist while the other escaped into a nearby forest.
In related operations, troops disrupted arms trafficking networks across the theatre.
Similarly, on 27 August 2026, troops arrested a suspected gunrunner at Jalingo LGA of Taraba State, in connection with arms trafficking to rebel elements in Cameroon.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE maintained vigilance over communities in Plateau State to prevent armed violence and illegal weapon use.
On 22 August 2026, troops responded to a report of gunshots around DTV in Bassa LGA of Plateau State and arrested one suspect, recovering a locally made hunting gun.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect claimed to have discharged the weapon while hunting. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances of the incident and rule out any connection to wider security concerns in the area.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD maintained vigilance against terrorist incursions in Niger State. On 23 August 2026, troops in Dekara, Borgu LGA of Niger State, came under terrorist attack and countered the assailants with heavy gunfire.
This forced them to flee into the Kainji Lake National Park. Following the encounter, troops exploited the terrorists’ withdrawal route and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, six motorcycles, 49 mobile phones, nine phone batteries and ten memory cards.
These seizures are expected to provide further intelligence on the terrorist network operating in the area.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
In the South South geopolitical zone, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations against illegal crude oil bunkering and refining across Imo and Rivers States.
On 20 August 2026, in sustained maritime operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Nigerian Navy disrupted suspected crude oil storage infrastructure containing approximately 93,000 litres of stolen crude oil around Allison Community in Bonny LGA of Rivers State.
On 21 August 2026, troops of Operation DELTA SENTINEL intercepted two vehicles conveying approximately 8,500 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products along the Ejemekuru–Obudi–Agwa axis of Imo State, arresting three suspects, while others fled and abandoned one of the vehicles.
On 22 August 2026, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER disrupted three illegal refining sites and recovered approximately 103,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.
On 27 August 2026, troops intercepted two tanker trucks preparing to siphon crude oil from an illegal collection point at Aleto in Eleme LGA of Rivers State and arrested two suspects.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
In the South East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against secessionist elements and illegal oil bunkering across Anambra and Imo States.
On 21 August 2026, troops intercepted two vehicles conveying suspected illegally refined petroleum products derived from stolen crude oil along the
Agwa–Ejemekuru Road in Oguta LGA of Imo State and arrested three suspects.
Preliminary investigation revealed the involvement of the leader of the local security group in Orlu, who fled the scene when directed to report for verification.
The matter has since been reported to the leader of the local security group in Imo State to assist in locating the suspect for further investigation.
On 22 August 2026, troops, in conjunction with the Department of State Services and the local security group in Anambra State, raided IPOB/ESN strongholds at Obene and Abator Villages in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State.
During the operation, troops neutralised one terrorist and recovered pump-action guns, motorcycles and materials identified for the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices.
In conclusion, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, appreciates the recent gesture by Air Peace, during which its staff and passengers accorded Nigerian military personnel a spontaneous standing ovation while boarding a flight in Abuja.
The gesture followed a directive by the airline’s Chairman, Mr Allen Onyema, that military and police personnel be accorded priority boarding and applauded in recognition of their service and sacrifices to the nation.
The widely shared gesture reflects the depth of public goodwill towards the nation’s security forces amid the prevailing security challenges.
It also serves as a call to other stakeholders to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices of defence and security personnel, as well as veterans, across the country.
The CDS commends the gallantry, discipline and unrelenting resolve of troops across all theatres of operation for their remarkable successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists, dismantling criminal and secessionist networks, and disrupting illegal oil bunkering activities.
He also 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
The CDS further commends the media for their continued professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations and appeals to members of the public, as well as traditional and community leaders, to continue providing useful information to security agencies to enhance the security architecture nationwide.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reassures all citizens of its unwavering commitment to sustaining the current tempo of operations.
