Insecurity: Troops Sustain Operational Successes Across Theatres Of Operations Through Aggressive, Counter-terrorism Measures
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) within the past week sustained its operational successes across all theatres of operations through sustained aggressive offensive and counter-terrorism operations.
DHQ further disclosed that troops also disrupted terrorists’ logistics networks, neutralised terrorists, rescued kidnapped victims and liberated abductees, arrested terrorist collaborators and gunrunners as well as recovered weapons, ammunition and contraband petroleum products.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations made the disclosure during the weekly press briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the period covering 7 – 13 August 2026.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded successes that underscore the progressive degradation of terrorist operational capacity in the Lake Chad Basin as well as Adamawa and Borno States.
On 7 August 2026, troops traced and neutralised one terrorist at a hideout in Kaniram East, Abadam LGA of Borno State, following a probing attack on troops’ location in Mallam Fatori on 29 July 2026.
Troops recovered arms, ammunition and other items before destroying the hideout. On the same day, troops engaged terrorists who were collecting illegal taxes from herders at the Gaba-Dzangola Axis in Guyaku District, Gombi LGA of Adamawa State.
The troops’ offensive action forced the terrorists to withdraw and recovered weapons and ammunition. In Mubi North LGA of Adamawa State, two suspected logistics facilitators were arrested on 7 August 2026, with one suspect arrested at Garaha in Hong LGA.
A follow-up operation was conducted on 12 August 2026 leading to the arrest of two additional members of the same supply ring.
- Similarly, troops apprehended five suspected terrorist collaborators and cattle rustlers at a checkpoint along the Mandaraugirau-Sabon Gari Road in Biu LGA of Borno State between 8 – 9 August 2026, recovering cash and other items. Troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant at the Damboa IDP Camp in Borno State on 10 August 2026. A total of nineteen persons, comprising terrorist fighters, women, children and teenagers, surrendered to troops at various locations including Kalam Barde and Sabsawa in Bama LGA, Mafa LGA, and the Mararraban Kirawa and Gwoza-Limankara axis in Gwoza LGA all in Borno State.
The surrendered persons cited food shortages, sustained military pressure and internal clashes among terrorist factions as reasons for their surrender.
On 10 August 2026, troops countered a terrorist infiltration attempt in Nganzai LGA of Borno State, neutralized one terrorist and recovered an assault rifle, ammunition, anti-tank bombs, a rocket-propelled grenade charger and a communication radio.
In another development, on 10 August 2026, troops rescued five female abductees around Amuda Bridge along the Ngoshe-Gava Road in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
The victims had escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains. All surrendered persons and rescued victims were screened and handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded multiple successful engagements against terrorists across Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
On 7 August 2026, troops made contact with terrorists at Kwanar Jollof in Shinkafi LGA and Birnin Tsaba Village along the Birnin Magaji-Zurmi Road in Birnin Magaji LGA, both in Zamfara State.
The troops forced the terrorists to withdraw and recovered motorcycles, camouflage items and communication equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
Also on 7 August 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator and logistics facilitator at Maradun in Zamfara State. The sum of ₦5,302,000, reportedly intended for delivery to terrorist associates, was recovered.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of another suspect, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the network.
On 8 August 2026, troops responded to information on terrorist activities around Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State.
The troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to abandon a number of kidnapped victims, who were subsequently secured.
Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims still held by the terrorists.
On 10 August 2026, troops responded to a terrorist attack at Makuku Village in Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State, neutralising 18 terrorists.
However, some personnel of a local security outfit, one local security group member and one civilian were killed during the encounter.
Troops subsequently intensified surveillance in the area to forestall further attacks. On the same day, troops engaged terrorists at Ruwan Lafiya Village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State and recovered an abandoned motorcycle.
Also on 10 August 2026, troops arrested two suspected terrorists, both foreign nationals believed to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED) experts, at Zurmi in Zamfara State.
On 12 August 2026, troops arrested a suspect at Kadage in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State, recovering foreign camouflage items, mobile phones and identification documents.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to the Department of State Services for further action. On the same day, troops arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier along the Gwarzo-Kano Road in Kano State and recovered ammunition and other incriminating items.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded notable successes in the clearance of criminal hideouts and the rescue of kidnap victims across Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States.
On 10 August 2026, troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police responded to a report of armed herders attacking residents at Azege village, Tombo Ward in Logo LGA of Benue State.
Troops engaged the assailants, neutralising one armed herder and recovering a rifle and ammunition.
However, one civilian and three cattle were killed during the encounter. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining assailants.
On 11 August 2026, troops conducted a clearance operation at Chito Village in Ukum LGA of Benue State, targeting the hideout of a wanted associate of a notorious kidnap kingpin.
Although the suspect had fled prior to troops’ arrival, the hideout was searched and the location destroyed.
Follow-on operations in Jootar and Ikiyior Villages led to arrest of five suspected associates of the kingpin and recovered mobile phones, motorcycles and locally fabricated rifles, with operations ongoing to apprehend other suspects.
On 10 August 2026, troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and local security group conducted a rescue operation along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe Axis in Ofu LGA of Kogi State, rescuing sixteen kidnap victims comprising six men, six women and four children.
One member of a local security outfit was killed in action and one police officer was wounded.
On 11 August 2026, troops rescued nine victims along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road, after intercepting the kidnappers’ vehicles and forcing them to abandon their captives.
All rescued victims have been handed over to appropriate authorities, while efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing perpetrators.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded a successful rescue operation in Plateau State. On 11 August 2026, troops conducted a search operation following the kidnap of a resident from Dong Village in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. Sustained pressure on the kidnappers forced them to abandon the victim at Rafin Bauna in Bassa LGA, where troops rescued her.
The victim was subsequently debriefed and reunited with her family.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD sustained offensive operations against terrorist elements across Kwara and Niger States.
On 8 August 2026, troops raided the residence of suspected terrorist collaborators at Latan Daji in Patigi LGA of Kwara State, arresting four suspects who remain in custody for further action.
Troops on 10 August 2026 conducted an ambush operation at Majai and Tungan Bissalah villages, engaged terrorists and forcing their withdrawal through Inana village.
Troops subsequently dominated the area to deny the terrorists freedom of action, recovering a rifle, ammunition and six motorcycles, which were destroyed in situ.
On 12 August 2026, troops rescued nine male kidnap victims within Mariga LGA of Niger State, following sustained operations against terrorists within the area.
The rescued victims were handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recorded successful operations within Edo, Rivers and Delta States, On 6 August 2026, troops in conjunction with a local security outfit countered a covert rescue operation following the kidnap of a farmer at Okehussan in Ubiaja, Esan South East LGA of Edo State.
Troops lured the kidnappers to a rendezvous at Onogholo in the same LGA, neutralising one kidnapper while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds.
The victim was rescued unharmed, and the sum of ₦1,500,000, meant as ransom payment, was recovered and handed over to the victim’s family.
On 7 August 2026, troops of Operation SENTINEL conducted an operation at the Bethel Community in Bonny LGA of Rivers State, recovering approximately 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and uncovering an illegal refining site comprising two pits and extensive hoses installed for crude oil theft.
In a related operation, Operation SENTINEL intercepted a speedboat conveying approximately 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil along the Onne-Okrika waterways, further demonstrating sustained efforts to disrupt crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage.
Similarly, troops conducted operations at different locations along the Oteghele axis, leading to the discovery of concealed storage facilities containing about 60,000 litres and 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
The recoveries further disrupted the activities of economic saboteurs, reinforcing the sustained resolve of troops to dismantle crude oil theft and illegal bunkering networks, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure and safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained collaborative operations with other security agencies, recording significant progress in dismantling a kidnap syndicate operating across Enugu and adjoining States in the South East.
Following the abduction of two persons in Udi LGA of Enugu State on 2 August 2026, troops, in conjunction with the Department of State Services, tracked the syndicate and, on 9 August 2026, ambushed members of the group responsible for the kidnapping.
During the operation, one syndicate commander was neutralised, while another sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to flee. Other members of the syndicate escaped into the forest.
Troops recovered $1,600, ₦187,000, mobile phones and herbal medicine. The wounded suspect is receiving treatment, while investigations continue. On 10 August 2026, troops, in conjunction with the Department of State Services, tracked and arrested another syndicate member at Gariki Area in Enugu State.
The operation led to the recovery of $1,000 and ₦785,900, as well as other incriminating items.
Between 10 – 11 August 2026, troops, using the arrested suspects as guides, recovered a cache of arms and ammunition comprising four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest hideout in the area.
All suspects are in custody undergoing interrogation to support further operations.
AIR COMPONENT OPERATION
The Air Component sustained its combat air support role across the various theatres of operation, conducting precision air strikes and armed reconnaissance missions to degrade terrorist mobility, disrupt cattle rustling and neutralise terrorist elements, particularly in Niger State.
On 9 August 2026, the Air Component conducted a successful armed reconnaissance mission over the Sangeko and Baba-Doka areas in Mariga LGA of Niger State following reports of a large concentration of terrorists, many of whom were mounted on motorcycles.
The aircraft engaged the terrorists with rockets and cannon fire, effectively disrupting their movement and activities.
Initial reports indicated the recovery of approximately 120 bodies and about 300 motorcycles at the location. Monitoring of the area is ongoing to further assess the outcome of the operation.
In a separate mission, on 13 August 2026, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted armed reconnaissance which indicated the presence of a large group of terrorists, accompanied by rustled cattle, around Maburya in Mariga LGA of Niger State.
An aircraft was subsequently dispatched to conduct a clearance patrol along the Kainji-Daban Woko axis.
The aircraft also conducted armed reconnaissance over Maburya and adjoining areas, where terrorists were sighted fleeing with a herd of rustled cattle.
The targets were engaged with onboard weapon systems, effectively disrupting their movement and activities and resulting in the neutralisation of 46 terrorists.
CONCLUSION
The operations recorded across all operational theatres during the period underscore the sustained tempo, coordination and effectiveness of troops in confronting terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the country.
The AFN remains committed to protecting lives and property and ensure lasting peace to all affected communities.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, commends troops of the AFN for their commitment demonstrated across all theatres of operation during the period.
He extends similar commendation to the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, local security groups and other security agencies whose collaboration with troops continues to yield positive results in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and other forms of criminalities.
The CDS further appreciates the media for its continued fair and balanced reportage of military operations, and calls for sustained partnership with relevant stakeholders and members of the public in providing credible information to support ongoing operations.
He assures Nigerians that the AFN remains resolute to secure the nation and will not relent until peace and stability are fully restored to all parts of the country.
