Major General Michael Onoja the Director Defence Media Operations at a media statement, reeled out the achievements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for this early days of June, 2026.
He explained that the Armed Forces of Nigeria the Armed Forces of Nigeria sustained coordinated operations conducted between 28 May and 4 June 2026. Deploying strategic assets, joint land patrols, and close air support, troops degraded the technical and operational capacities of insurgent groups, kidnapping rings, economic saboteurs, and cross-border weapon traffickers. That these sustained successes reflect the combat effectiveness, operational readiness, and high morale of the troops across all geopolitical zones to guarantee safety of all Nigerians which is as follows:-
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded a series of high-impact security operations across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and part of Bauchi States. On 30
May 2026, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Biu Town in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. The suspect confessed to having received two AK-47 rifles from terrorists neutralised at Buratai Forest in
January 2026 and admitted to using them for kidnapping, cattle rustling, and criminal activities across Askira Uba, Biu, Chibok, Gombe, and Mbalala areas. Items recovered from the suspect included smartphones, wristwatches, ATM cards, and assorted personal effects. On the same date, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator identified as Alhaji Kurna at Hausari, Damasak Central Ward in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. On 31 May 2026, troops on routine patrol encountered one Ahmad Sheriff and two of his children between Kukawa and Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. He claimed that he and sixteen others escaped from a Boko Haram/ISWAP camp around Kangarwa, intending to surrender to troops, but were dispersed by terrorists before reaching Kukawa. Recovered items included 43 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a solar panel, and a mobile phone. On 1 June 2026, a fighting patrol in Jemmu village and adjoining settlements in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, made contact with a lone terrorist scout who fled towards the Alagarno general area; one AK-47 magazine and three rounds of ammunition were recovered. On the same date, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant along the Buni Yadi–Buni Gari Road in Gujba LGA of Yobe State, as well as a suspected terrorist collaborator apprehended during a tactical drone operation at Kwatan Yobe in Kukawa LGA of Borno State.
Between 1 and 4 June 2026, troops sustained momentum with additional arrests and rescues across the theatre. On 1 June 2026, troops arrested 2 suspected terrorist elements at Garkida in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, with one suspect confessing to participation in the terrorist attacks in Mussa and Leho villages, both in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, and another confessing to an attack at Tellabala in Adamawa State. On 2 June 2026, a suspected terrorist family member escaped from the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and surrendered to troops, confessed to sustained military pressure and deprivation as her reason for escaping. On the same date, troops and DSS personnel arrested 4 suspected terrorist informants along the Maiduguri–Bauchi Road in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State. On 4 June 2026, a fighting patrol to Wulgo in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State resulted in the neutralisation of one terrorist, with additional evidence of terrorist support infrastructure uncovered. Also on 4 June 2026, troops rescued 2 escapees from the Saha terrorist enclave in Gwoza Local Government Area and subsequently reunited them with family members at the Pulka Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp. Three additional female escapees surrendered to troops from the Mandara Mountains on the same date. Troops also arrested 2 suspected terrorist informants at Goniri in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
Operational maneuvers across the North West theater neutralised several terrorists and restricted their mobility. On 28 May 2026, troops responded to a distress call regarding terrorist activities on the outskirts of Ruwan Godiya village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, establishing immediate contact, neutralized two terrorists, and recovered an abandoned motorcycle and 12 rounds of live ammunition. On 3 June 2026, troops in the Zurmi area and Dorayi village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State engaged a terrorist group which resulted in the neutralization of one bandit and the destruction of their makeshift camp and life-support facilities.
Further operations completely halted criminal activities targeted at local communities. On 3 June 2026, troops stationed at Jangeme thwarted an attempted abduction of rural farmers along the Ruwan Kunku axis in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, forcing the criminals to retreat and leave behind an AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine. On 4 June 2026, troops patrolling Makarfi town in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State apprehended a suspected terrorist informant who was unable to account for his clandestine movements in the area. Same day, troops raided the Shinkafi weekly market in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State where they arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin who had been hiding among local traders.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD conducted aggressive fighting patrols in Niger and Kwara States, recording significant successes. On 30th May 2026, troops deployed at Audu Fari, in conjunction with FOB Babanna, conducted a fighting patrol to Gulbi community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, clearing the area of terrorist activities. However, while returning, troops came under terrorist ambush between Gulbi and Sabon Gari community. Troops repelled the ambush, neutralised scores of terrorists and recovered 15 motorcycles and 253 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition. Regrettably, 4 soldiers sustained minor injuries and some equipment were temporarily immobilised. Multiple IEDs planted along the withdrawal route were successfully detonated in situ by troops, and a friendly force from Benin Republic joined our troops upto the Nigerian border, demonstrating the strength of regional security cooperation. On the same date, troops arrested one Mr Ali Hamidu, a known terrorist informant who had participated in a previous attack at Kwankesso community in Koro community, Kainji, in Borgu LGA of Niger State. The suspect, who had been evading security forces across multiple locations including Shafashi village and Kaoje community in Kebbi State, was apprehended and is currently in troops's custody for further action.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE continued to secure urban centers and transit corridors for peace enforcement across Plateau and Kaduna States. On 1 June 2026 troops on patrol noticed an abandoned, empty passenger vehicle parked along the highway at Ungwan Gora village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Suspecting a kidnapping incident, troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation into the surrounding forests, successfully rescuing five kidnapped passengers and evacuating two injured victims to the General Hospital Gwantu for urgent medical attention, while operations are ongoing to locate two individuals still missing.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE demonstrated remarkable vigilance across Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Nasarawa, and parts of Ebonyi State. On 30th of May 2026, troops conducted surveillance and laid in wait at Jakura community in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State along an identified terrorist crossing point on the old Obajana–Tajimi Road. Troops made contact, neutralised one terrorist, and forced others to flee with gunshot wounds. Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, 5 magazines, 70 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one bandolier, and one mobile phone. On the same date, troops deployed in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State arrested a suspected gunrunner at Kasuwan Doya Checkpoint in the Mutum Biyu area of Gassol Local Government Area. The suspect is still in custody for further investigation.
On 1 June 2026, troops conducted a long-range patrol to an illegal mining site in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, leading to the arrest of 5 suspects. Items recovered included 7 explosives, detonating cord, a pumping machine, a generator, and 3 motorcycles. On 2 June 2026, troops mobilised to Nunku and Katanza village junction in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State with Nigerian Police personnel and discovered two abandoned vehicles with the occupants missing. Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of 2 kidnap victims who had escaped, and the arrest of 2 suspects on motorcycles. One rescued victim confirmed that the suspect had collected money from him. The arrested suspects, recovered vehicles, and rescued victims were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Andaha Division. Also on 2 June 2026, following the earlier arrest of a gunrunner at Kasuwa Doya in Taraba State, troops acting on his confession proceeded to Tukurwa village in Gassol LGA and recovered one G3 rifle, one magazine, and 2 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.
On 3 June 2026, troops responded to reports of the abduction of 5 persons comprising 2 adults, 2 children, and a toddler from a residence near Solid Rock School at Ijalu, Egbe, in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. Troops pursued the criminals, forcing them to abandon some of the victims. Mrs. Adekemi Idowu and her 6-month-old child were successfully rescued and reunited with their family. Efforts to rescue the remaining victims are ongoing.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted sustained security operations across Delta and Edo States, successfully disrupting kidnapping networks and illegal arms caches. On 29 May 2026, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Odighi community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. This was followed on 1 June 2026 by a pre-emptive raid at Idumogbo community in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, where troops arrested four kidnappers who had finalized plans to kidnap a medical professional and the wife of a deceased senior military officer from their residence in the area. Troops recovered their operational communication phones. On 2 June 2026, troops in conjunction with local hunters arrested two more suspects at a local spot in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area. The two suspects had masterminded the murder of a farmer during a failed abduction attempt on 27 May 2026 at Oloshi town.
Concurrently, troops carried out extensive weapon recovery operations to deny criminals access to specialized armaments. On 4 June 2026, troops conducted a sweep of an abandoned community police post previously used by vigilantes at Nkata in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State. During the raid, troops recovered five locally manufactured dane guns, a fabricated pump-action gun, and three motorcycles left behind by criminal elements, effectively sanitizing the area and removing the recovered items for forensic tracking.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDOKA
Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained security operations, conducting successful arrests of suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, as well as dismantling criminal networks in Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi States. On 29 May 2026, troops arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN member at Obinolu in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. The suspect is currently in custody for interrogation. On 30 May 2026, troops, NP, DSS, and local vigilantes arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN member at Owerre-Ezukalla in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, who had allegedly been signalling the whereabouts of troops to terrorist. The suspect is currently undergoing investigation, while troops continued to dominate the area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
On 2 June 2026, troops responded to a distress call regarding a hostage situation at Ebeta Primary School in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where village chiefs were being held captive. The perpetrators, led by one Mr Osundu Ngbada (alias "Stain/Presido") and his associates, had orchestrated the hostage-taking following a leadership dispute. Troops arrived swiftly, rescued all hostages, and arrested 3 suspects. Recovered items included 2 motorcycles allegedly taken from locals. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Nigeria Police Ohaukwu Division for further investigation.
General Onoja concluded that through highly synchronized operations, troops neutralized hostile elements, dismantled insurgent enclaves, intercepted illicit armaments, and rescued numerous citizens, significantly degrading criminal capabilities nationwide and assuring all Nigerians of absolute protection. The military continues to operate under strict adherence to International Humanitarian Law, constitutional rules of engagement, and total defense of our democratic values.
"We are using this forum to reassure Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria in conjunction with other security agencies and government institutions will sustain efforts to ensure the rescue of all Nigerians in captivity. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest military formation, police station, or security agency. Information may also be passed anonymously via our toll free line 193. The Chief of Defence Staff , General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede commends the unwavering resilience, and exceptional bravery displayed by troops across all operational theaters. The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains steadfast, committed, and ever ready in service to the Nigerian nation" Onoja said.
