By Joy Tsafa
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has reported significant operational gains across the country, saying its troops killed five terrorists and rescued 48 kidnapped victims during operations conducted between August 14 and 20, 2026.
The military also said the operations led to the arrest of suspected terrorists, kidnappers and their collaborators, recovery of weapons and explosives, disruption of illegal refining activities and the dismantling of criminal networks across several states.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday on the activities of troops across the various theatres of operation during the period under review.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained offensive and clearance operations against terrorists and armed criminal groups across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states.
On August 14, troops, working alongside local security groups, conducted clearance operations in Gwamnare Forest, Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, rescuing three kidnapped victims. Five others reportedly escaped from their captors and subsequently reunited with their families.
The operation, however, came with a tragic loss, as two victims were killed by their abductors before troops could intervene. A follow-up engagement resulted in the neutralisation of one kidnapper, while a member of the local security group sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated for treatment.
The following day, troops repelled a two-pronged terrorist attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, killing two terrorists and recovering rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other war materiel.
Troops also engaged kidnappers at Maigero Village in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State, forcing them to withdraw and recovering ammunition as well as items allegedly used to restrain victims.
On August 17, troops rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national who had been abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State. An abandoned AK-47 rifle was also recovered at Ngurusoye Village in the same local government area.
A significant development in the North-East was the surrender of 47 family members of terrorists, comprising women and children, between August 16 and 20.
According to the military, the individuals surrendered at locations including Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area and Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, citing hunger, insecurity and factional clashes within terrorist enclaves as reasons for fleeing.
Six terrorist fighters also surrendered to troops in Kukawa Local Government Area during the period.
The military said all those who surrendered were documented and handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified operations against terrorism, kidnapping and associated criminal activities across Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Troops killed two terrorists at Kurudu Village in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State on August 14.
Similarly, clearance operations around Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji local government areas of Zamfara State between August 14 and 15 resulted in the neutralisation of two terrorists at Garin Kaso Village, with troops recovering rifles, ammunition and motorcycles.
The military also reported a series of successful rescue operations between August 17 and 19, during which abducted victims were recovered from Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Sabuwa and Kankara local government areas of Katsina State, and Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Beyond direct engagements with terrorists, troops disrupted a suspected explosives supply network in the region.
On August 14, troops arrested a suspect transporting 180 units of Super Power Explosives along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The explosives were allegedly destined for terrorists operating in Katsina State.
Another suspect connected to the supply chain was arrested in Gusau the following day, while suspected collaborators of a notorious terrorist kingpin were arrested along the Sakajiki-Kwanar Guiwa Road in Kaura Namoda.
Further exploitation led to the arrest of six additional informants allegedly linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family as well as staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE maintained operations against kidnapping and armed criminality across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
On August 14, troops conducting search and rescue operations in Ofu and Dekina local government areas of Kogi State compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road.
The victims comprised two men, five women and six children and were subsequently taken to the Palace of the Onu of Abocho for further action.
In Nasarawa State, troops responded on August 18 to an attack by suspected kidnappers on Assakio community in Lafia Local Government Area, killing the gang leader while two other members escaped with gunshot wounds.
A day later, troops operating in Kyado, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, neutralised a terrorist during an operation targeting a criminal gang. Other members of the group fled, abandoning a motorcycle.
The military also recorded arrests linked to arms trafficking. An arms courier was arrested at Bubuwa in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State while allegedly attempting to purchase ammunition from a previously apprehended gunrunner.
A subsequent raid on a suspected hideout at Nasarawo in Jalingo Local Government Area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE maintained a security presence aimed at preventing communal clashes and attacks on rural communities.
On August 17, troops responding to gunfire at Rafin Bauna Village in Bassa Local Government Area forced unidentified gunmen to flee and rescued a victim who had sustained a gunshot wound. The victim was evacuated to a hospital for treatment.
On August 20, troops responded to a reported attack by suspected herders’ militia on Mwar Community in Chakfem Kingdom, Mangu Local Government Area, following the rustling of cattle by local indigenes.
Surveillance assets were deployed and raids conducted on the residences of identified suspects, during which an assortment of firearms, fabricated rifles, dane guns and ammunition were recovered.
In Kwara State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD engaged terrorists at Alabe Idera in Ifelodun Local Government Area on August 18, killing one terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle.
On the same day, troops conducting a night patrol around Latandaji in Patigi Local Government Area rescued seven kidnap victims found wandering in nearby bushes.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations against kidnapping, arms trafficking and crude oil theft across Edo, Delta and Rivers states.
On August 14, troops arrested three suspected kidnappers at Igue/Ikao Community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Five days later, troops intercepted a suspect at the Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge in Asaba, Delta State, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest.
Under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, troops also disrupted three illegal refining sites in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation led to the recovery of approximately 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, concealed in eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.
The latest operation followed an earlier disruption of two illegal refining sites in the same area, as the military continues its campaign against illegal refining and other activities threatening the nation’s critical petroleum infrastructure.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against secessionist elements and illegal oil-bunkering syndicates across Abia, Anambra, Imo and Rivers states.
On August 14, troops patrolling the Odumeje-Eketutu-Udah axis in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State discovered and safely disarmed multiple improvised explosive devices.
The troops subsequently engaged suspected secessionist elements in a brief firefight, forcing them to flee into nearby vegetation. A locally made pistol and cartridges were recovered.
The following day, troops dismantled an illegal bunkering site at Ihie Community in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, recovering motorcycles, suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil and a vehicle, while three suspects were arrested.
Troops also raided a hideout at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on August 17, arresting two suspects allegedly linked to an earlier attack on troops in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
On August 18, troops recovered a pistol, ammunition and a radio during a fighting patrol to an IPOB camp at Eketutu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Further clearance operations towards the “Mother Valley” area of Ihiala on August 20 resulted in the clearance of 11 improvised explosive devices.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces also recorded a civil-military cooperation initiative during the period under review, with the Nigerian Navy commissioning a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos State.
The initiative, according to the military, was designed to improve access to clean and potable water and strengthen relations between the Armed Forces and host communities.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops across the various theatres for their resilience and successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists, disrupting criminal and secessionist networks and protecting critical national assets.
Oluyede also sympathised with the families of victims who lost their lives during the operations and wished injured security personnel a speedy recovery.
He commended the cooperation between the Armed Forces and other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, local security groups and other stakeholders, saying the synergy remained critical to confronting terrorism, kidnapping and economic sabotage.
The CDS also commended the media for what he described as continued professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations, while urging members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security agencies.
The Armed Forces said they would sustain the current tempo of operations until peace, stability and security are restored across the various theatres of operation nationwide.