From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced significant operational successes by the Armed Forces of Nigeria between July 17 and 23, 2026, including the neutralisation of a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander, the destruction of terrorist hideouts, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the arrest of several terrorist collaborators across the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai recorded major breakthroughs in the North-East, particularly in Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states.
According to him, troops successfully repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralised Abu Salim Al-Barnawi, a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief, dealing a major blow to the insurgents’ leadership and information network.
Major General Onoja disclosed that the Nigerian Army Aviation also carried out precision air strikes on ISWAP/JAS terrorists sighted at Yaganari in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, killing scores of insurgents.
He further revealed that on July 17, troops foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration of the University of Maiduguri during the night, killing two terrorists and maintaining a strong security presence to safeguard students and staff.
On July 19, troops conducted clearance operations in Layi, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, where they destroyed a terrorist hideout and recovered a pump-action gun and three AK-47 magazines. In a separate operation along Paya Kafiya in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State, troops neutralised a fleeing terrorist.
The military also recorded significant successes in rescue operations. Between July 17 and 23, troops carried out three separate rescue missions at Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, rescuing a mother and her two children, as well as two young girls who had been held captive since August 2025.
The victims were handed over to the Ngoshe community leadership.
In another development, a woman and her daughter, suspected to be relatives of terrorists, voluntarily surrendered to troops in Gwoza.
The statement added that troops arrested several terrorist suspects and logistics suppliers across the North-East. Those apprehended included suspected ISWAP members, logistics suppliers, terrorist scouts, collaborators, kidnappers, illegal miners, a foreign fighter from Sudan, and an illegal immigrant from Ghana.
On July 23, troops arrested five suspected kidnappers in Jegalari village, Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State, recovering three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and other weapons. All suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation.
Providing updates from other theatres of operation, Major General Onoja said troops under Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators in Maro community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The suspects reportedly confessed to supplying logistics and intelligence to terrorists, including information used for selecting kidnap targets and collecting ransom.
In the North-Central region, troops under Operation Savannah Shield, Operation Enduring Peace, and Operation Whirl Stroke sustained operations against armed criminals, kidnappers, and militia groups across Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba states.
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered an illegal crude oil refining site in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, where equipment used for illegal refining was recovered.
Meanwhile, in the South-East, troops under Operation Udo Ka, working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, arrested three suspected IPOB/ESN members during an intelligence-led operation in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Major General Onoja said the achievements recorded across the various theatres demonstrate the professionalism and commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and other forms of criminality.
He reaffirmed the military’s determination to sustain ongoing operations until lasting peace and stability are restored across the country.
The Defence Headquarters also appealed to Nigerians to remain vigilant, provide timely information to security agencies, and continue supporting efforts to eliminate criminal elements from their communities.
