From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that between the period of 20th and 26th of this month March 2026, its troops across the various Joint Task Forces have maintained operational dominance over terrorists, insurgents, and other criminal elements, resulting in the neutralization, arrest, and destruction of multiple threats, as well as the recovery and destruction of arms, ammunition, and illicit logistics networks.
This was contained in a statement signed and issued in Abuja by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja confirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the strategic leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General OlufemiNo Olatunbosun Oluyede have continued to record significant operational successes across all theatres within the review period.
According to the Defence Media Operations,” through well-coordinated joint operations, enhanced intelligence-driven missions, and sustained inter-agency collaboration, troops across the various Joint Task Forces maintained operational dominance over terrorists, insurgents, and other criminal elements, resulting in the neutralization, arrest, and disruption of multiple threats, as well as the recovery and destruction of arms, ammunition, and illicit logistics networks.”
Major General Onoja while highlighting on the achievements and successes recorded at various threatres nationwide he said in the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have sustained aggressive and unrelenting kinetic campaign against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists through coordinated operations and enhanced intelligence-led activities across Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Yobe, and Gombe States.
He noted that on the 20 March 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist spy at an excavation site in K10 guard post, Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) of Borno State, recovered a mobile phone, power bank, wristwatch, bracelet, and cash.
Also on the 20 March 2026, a suspected armed dealer was arrested in Donga LGA of Taraba State following intelligence on an ongoing arms transaction, while on the 21 March 2026, troops at FOB Wukari conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Wukari LGA of Taraba State, recovered one AK-47 rifle and a magazine, and on the 22 March 2026, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and an empty magazine along Maiduguri–Gubio Road in MMC, Borno State, after a suspected logistics supplier fled on sighting troops.
Major General Michael also noted that on the 23 March 26, two suspected terrorist informants were arrested at Kaffa Bridge in Damboa LGA of Borno State, with the recovery of two bicycles, charms, and cash, while another suspected logistics supplier was arrested in Benisheikh, Kaga LGA.
Additionally, troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant in Mubi LGA of Adamawa State linked to a previous attack in Ngoshe, and on the 25 March 2026, troops arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier at Kadau Village in Kaga LGA of Borno State, recovered motorcycle spare parts including 11 brake liners, 4 carburettors, 17 spark plugs, one crankshaft, 18 cable wires, 8 clutch handles, 3 packets of oil seals, and a bunch of springs, while on the 26 March 2026, troops responded to intelligence within MMC, Borno State, recovered one AK-47 rifle and an empty magazine after a suspect fled.
Troop in conjunction with CJTF arrested a suspected terrorist informant at Shauri in Kaga LGA of Borno State he said.
In the North West under Operation Fansan Yamma he said, troops have continued precise strikes against terrorists operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, and systematically dismantling terrorist logistics networks while safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure.
He stressed that On 20 March 2026, troops supported by air assets, engaged terrorists at Maberaya Village, Isa LGA of Sokoto State, following offensive operations through Bafarawa and surrounding villages, and during the engagement, troops destroyed a terrorist support structure and terrorist fled in disarray, and On 21 March 2026, troops arrested a wanted terrorist ammunition courier at Ahokon Village, Koton Karfe LGA of Kogi State, the suspect was shot on the thigh while attempting to flee and is currently in custody for investigation.
Furthermore he said, on the 23 March 2026, troops of FOB Masalachi neutralized one terrorist and recovered two AK-47 rifles and ammunition alongside with a motorcycle during an ambush operation at Magonho Forest, Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State, and on the same date, troops responding to a terrorist attack on Kadida Village, Tangaza LGA, neutralised one additional terrorist and recovered one AK-47 rifle, while on the 25 March 2026, in Kibiya, Kano State, troops in conjunction with DSS operatives rescued the Secretary of Kibiya LGA, Hon. Hamza Musa Durba, from a forest hideout, arresting two suspects and recovered one AK-47 rifle.
On 25 March 2026, troops also deployed in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, sprung an ambush along the Gada Maya–Makakari Road, neutralising two terrorists and recovered one AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition, mobile phones, communication equipment, and one motorcycle, among other items.
Clearance operations was also made on 25 March 2026 at Dutsi Village, Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, and troops forced terrorist to flee in disarray which resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
Additionally, troops in conjunction with other security agencies, have intensified clearance and stabilization operations across terrorist-affected areas of Kebbi State, creating a secure environment for the resumption of farming activities.
He observed that the improved security posture has enabled displaced communities to safely return to their homes.
In the North Central under operation Savannah Shield he said, the troops have continued to intensify 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.
He on the 22 March 2026 precisely terrorists attacked Ora-Ago Community in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, storming an ECWA Church during service and abducting nine worshippers; troops in conjunction with local vigilantes and Forest Guard operatives responded swiftly, rescuing three victims, while efforts remain ongoing to secure the release of the remaining hostages and apprehend the perpetrators.
On the same date, troops arrested a suspect conveying explosive and IED materials along the Wawa-Dabar Woko Road in Borgu LGA of Niger State, with the suspect claiming the items were intended for mining, while a bridge along the Wawa-Luma Road in the same LGA was confirmed destroyed by terrorists to disrupt troop resupply routes.
On 23 March 2026, troops in conjunction with Kwara State Forest Guard operatives arrested six suspected terrorists during a stop-and-search operation at Oke Onigbin in Isin LGA of Kwara State, recovering one locally-made pistol, ammunition, cutlasses, and local charms, and sustained operations continued across the theatre with significant outcomes.
Explaining further on the activities of the military troops within the period, Major General Onoja said that under Operation Enduring Peace in the North Central, troops have sustained robust security operations across Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory, maintaining a strong operational presence in vulnerable communities and key transit corridors.
On the 20 March 2026, troops raided identified criminal hideouts at Angwan Yama and Kasua in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, arresting nine suspects found in possession of illicit drugs; while On the 21 March 2026, troops responded to a reported kidnap incident at Zabir Village in Jos East LGA of Plateau State and successfully rescued the victim after the abductors fled on sighted.
Still in the North Central,troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained security operations across Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, and parts of Kogi States, addressing security challenges including farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping, and cattle rustling within the Joint Operations Area, specifically On 23 March 2026, troops deployed at FOB Bilawa-Jor conducted a fighting patrol within Mbapa and Mbabuande in Gwer West LGA of Benue State, during which they made contact with terrorist, and they neutralised one terrorist, and arrested four additional suspects, and on the 23 March 2026, troops deployed at FOB Otukpo conducted a fighting patrol to a suspected terrorist enclave at Amla Icho, Otukpo LGA of Benue State, where five suspects were apprehended and six locally fabricated guns, one motorcycle, three machetes, and six mobile phones were recovered.
He said in the South-South , under Operation Delta Safe, military troops have continued to intensify security operations aimed at combating criminality, protecting critical national infrastructure, and denying criminal elements freedom of action within the Niger Delta region and adjoining states, while in the South East, troops of Operation Udo Ka have continued to target criminal elements associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), sustaining pressure on their operational capabilities across the South-East geo-political zone.
The Defence Media Operation said On the 22 March 2026, troops conducted clearance operations in Orsumoghu extending towards the Badanya axis in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, during which five Improvised Explosive Devices were encountered and successfully detonated, while troops cleared the general area and continued their advance along Badanya Road.
“The cumulative successes recorded across Operations reflect not only the effectiveness of ongoing military strategies but also the growing synergy among the Armed Forces, other security agencies, and local stakeholders in addressing the complex security challenges facing the nation,” Major General Onoja said.
He also observed that the sustained pressure on criminal elements has continued to degrade their operational capabilities and restore confidence among the populace.
According to Major General Onoja, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede has extended his profound appreciation to all personnel of the Armed Forces for their sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering commitment to duty, as well as commended the invaluable support of other security agencies, the media, and the general public, whose cooperation remains critical to operational success.
“The CDS reassures Nigerians of the military’s continued resolve to sustain the ongoing offensives until all threats to peace and national security are decisively neutralised, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies,” he added.