From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced significant successes recorded by troops across various theatres of operation nationwide, including the rescue of kidnapped victims, the neutralisation of a high-profile terrorist leader, arrests of suspected criminals and the dismantling of illegal oil refining sites.
The military also recovered arms, ammunition, stolen livestock and large quantities of illegally refined petroleum products during operations conducted between July 3 and 9, 2026.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) maintained an aggressive operational posture across the country during the period under review.
According to him, troops operating under unified commands dismantled insurgent camps, neutralised hostile combatants, disrupted critical logistics and supply lines and rescued abducted citizens.
In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued six abducted farmers in Borno State, dismantled terrorist logistics facilities and arrested suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) informants and logistics suppliers.
Troops also rescued two other abductees, recovered ransom money and arrested a wanted criminal in Adamawa State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma recovered weapons, rustled livestock and materials suspected to have been intended for the production of improvised explosive devices during operations in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Onoja said that on July 5, troops operating in the Dogon Dawa area conducted a fighting patrol to Damari village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they engaged two armed terrorists riding motorcycles.
The operation led to the recovery of motorcycles and ammunition.
Two days later, troops foiled a cattle-rustling attempt at Makera Danjin Oda village, recovering a locally made revolver rifle, ammunition, 14 cows and 18 rams.
In the North Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised a wanted terrorist kingpin identified as Puuga in Benue State, recovered 249 rustled cattle in Kogi State and rescued several kidnapped victims in Benue and Kogi states.
Troops of Operation Savannah Shield also carried out interdiction and counter-terrorism operations aimed at disrupting insurgent logistics and weapons-trafficking networks across Niger and Kwara states, while Operation Enduring Peace targeted urban criminality, armed robbery and infiltration networks in Plateau State.
In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe rescued 37 traders from sea pirates in Akwa Ibom State and dismantled illegal refining facilities in Rivers State, recovering more than 205,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
Onoja said troops responded to a maritime abduction incident along the Oron-Ibaka waterway at Akpa Aron Creek in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on July 1.
According to him, troops engaged the sea pirates, forcing them to abandon 37 traders and crew members aboard a wooden market boat.
The victims were subsequently rescued and safely escorted to the Oron jetty.
In the South East, troops of Operation Udo Ka raided criminal hideouts, recovered weapons and fake military uniforms, and destroyed an illegal oil bunkering site containing 70 illegal pits in Abia State.
“Troops of Operation Udo Ka sustained operations against secessionist elements and economic criminals to restore public order across Abia, Enugu and Imo states,” Onoja said.
He added that the Air Component supported ground operations, facilitating the escape of about nine kidnapped victims in Niger State and conducting air strikes against terrorists transporting more than 100 rustled cattle.
Commending the troops on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Onoja praised their tactical precision and professionalism.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff also paid tribute to officers and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation’s sovereignty.
Onoja urged communities and the media to sustain their cooperation with the military by providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations against terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.
