Major General Michael Onoja the Director Defence Media Operations at a media briefing at Defence Headquarters in Abuja reeled out the achievements of the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria between 30 June and 2 July 2026.
He explained that the operations recorded notable successes, including the neutralisation and countering of terrorists' attacks, rescue of kidnapped victims, arrest of suspects, recovery of arms, ammunition and other logistics items, as well as the surrender of terrorists and their family members. Below are achievements recorded so far:-
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded a series of high-impact security operations across Borno State. On 30 June 2026, troops on checkpoint duties along the Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala Main Supply Route apprehended three suspected logistics suppliers and terrorists collaborators in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, who were intercepted while conveying assorted items suspected to be intended for terrorists' enclaves in a Pick-up vehicle. The suspects and recovered items were handed over for further investigation. On the same day, terrorist elements attacked Kurnari community in Buratai District, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops responded swiftly to counter the attack, forcing the terrorists to withdraw and recovering several items including a handheld radio, locally made explosives, ammunition and other illicit items during the pursuit. Furthering the trend of mass surrenders occasioned by sustained air and ground operations against terrorists' enclaves, the wife of a terrorist and her five children, surrendered to troops in Monguno town, Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State, on 30 June 2026. Similarly, a suspected terrorist surrendered to troops in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State on 1 July 2026, after fleeing a terrorists' camp in the Lake Chad region, citing harsh living conditions in the camp. The surrendered persons are being processed as they remain in troops' custody for further action.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded a decisive ambush operation that led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim in Kaduna State. On 1 July 2026, troops deployed in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna State conducted an area ambush around Kaso, near River Shuwaka, engaging terrorist elements and forcing them to flee. In the course of the pursuit, troops rescued a female kidnap victim who had earlier been abducted on 29 June 2026 around Gora village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The rescued victim was evacuated to a forward location for further processing, while a mobile phone suspected to belong to the fleeing terrorists was recovered for further forensics analysis. Troops continue to dominate the area to forestall a reoccurrence and ensure the safety of residents and commuters in the area.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE maintained a vigilant posture across Benue, Kogi, Taraba, and Nasarawa State. On 30 June 2026, troops, in conjunction with other security agencies, raided a suspected gunrunners' hideout at Kwatan Nanido village in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State and recovered an AK-47 rifle with ammunition, although no arrest was made. In a related operation on 29 June 2026, troops deployed at Angwan Makama in Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State conducted a search operation and rescued three kidnap victims, including a soldier abducted along the Akwanga–Gwatu road. The rescued soldier has since rejoined his unit, while the civilian victims were reunited with their families. In an unrelated occurrence, on 30 June 2026, troops responded to distress calls around Jotar village in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State and along the Okene–Magongo road in Kogi State, where suspected kidnappers had abducted travellers. Troops' swift response forced the kidnappers to flee, resulting in the rescue of six persons in total, comprising four female victims along the Okene axis and two others intercepted en route from Kogi to Jalingo. Efforts to track the fleeing perpetrators and rescue the remaining victims are ongoing.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted sustained security operations across Edo State, successfully disrupting kidnapping attempt. On 30 June 2026, troops on routine patrol around BJ Hotels in Ibillo, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, arrested two suspected kidnappers following suspicious conduct observed on sighting troops. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier made enquiries with a hotel customer regarding the frequency of troops' patrols around the premises, raising suspicion of a reconnaissance attempt. The suspects have been handed over to Department of State Services for further investigation, as troops continue to sustain vigilance around identified vulnerable locations within the theatre.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
Troops of Operation UDO KA continue to sustain security operations in the South East, conducting arrests of suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. The Operation has also successfully dismantled criminal networks in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States. On 29 June 2026, troops deployed at a forward operating base in Orsumoghu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State acting on credible information regarding the movement of the proscribed IPOB/ESN elements along a footpath around Mother Valley suspected to be a new crossing point, engaged the criminals in an exchange of fire, neutralising one and forcing others to flee with gunshot wounds. Troops thereafter dominated the area to deny the criminals freedom of movement. In a related development, on 1 July 2026, troops acted on credible information from a local vigilante group, mobilised to arrest a suspected cultist at Umuakpara village in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State. Although the suspect was able to evade arrest, the suspect escaped, he abandoned a locally made pistol, which was recovered by troops.
Furthermore, on 1 July 2026, troops conducted a raid operation along the Akpe Aggah-Egbema Forest axis, leading to the arrest of a suspected armourer and logistics courier believed to be responsible for arming terrorist elements responsible for harassing and intimidating legitimate local oil companies in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. Items recovered from the suspect included assault rifles, magazines and a large quantity of ammunition. In a related raid at Trans-Ekulu, Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, on 30 June 2026, troops arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN member and gunrunner. Various illegal items were recovered during the raid including different calibers of ammunition, pump-action guns, a pistol, vehicle number plates, materials suspected for improvised explosive device fabrication, and other sundry items. The suspects and recovered items in both operations remain in troops' custody for further investigation.
Major General Onoja concluded that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede while commending troops across all theatres of operation for their gallantry and professionalism, reaffirmed the resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustain the tempo of operations until terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality are decisively defeated. He observed that the successes recorded during the period further underscore the effectiveness of the multi-theatre approach adopted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in tackling the country's diverse security challenges. General Oluyede further reassured Nigerians of the Armed Forces of Nigeria's unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property nationwide, and urged members of the public to continue to support troops with credible and timely information to enhance ongoing operations. He commended other security agencies and local vigilante groups for their continued collaboration with troops, noting that such synergy remains vital to sustaining the gains recorded across the various theatres of operation.
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