Troops Kill Terrorist Commander, Rescue Victims, Arrest Scores Nationwide
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded major gains in ongoing counter-terrorism and internal security operations between July 17 and 23, 2026, neutralising terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims and dismantling criminal networks across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
In a press briefing on Friday, the military said troops sustained offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements while ensuring the security of strategic highways, rail lines and other critical national infrastructure.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI dealt a significant blow to Boko Haram and ISWAP by eliminating Abu Salim Al-Barnawi, a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief, during operations in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The military also said Nigerian Army Aviation air strikes at Yaganari in Bama LGA killed scores of terrorists, while troops foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration of the University of Maiduguri, killing two insurgents.
Clearance operations across Borno and Yobe states led to the destruction of terrorist hideouts and the recovery of weapons, including AK-47 magazines and a pump-action gun.
Troops also rescued several kidnapped victims, including a mother and her two children as well as two young girls held captive since August 2025. A woman and her daughter, believed to be relatives of terrorists, surrendered to troops, while several suspected ISWAP members, logistics suppliers, collaborators, kidnappers and a terrorist kingpin involved in illegal mining were arrested. Security forces also apprehended a Sudanese foreign fighter and an illegal immigrant from Ghana during separate operations.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA arrested several terrorist collaborators in Kaduna and Zamfara states, including suspects accused of providing intelligence, collecting ransom and supplying logistics to terrorists.
Troops also repelled terrorist attacks, recovered an AK-47 rifle with ammunition and rescued 11 abducted passengers after confronting terrorists who had blocked the Gummi-Sokoto Road in Zamfara. Operations to rescue the remaining victims are ongoing.
In Kwara State under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops, working with local vigilantes and forest guards, killed four kidnappers, arrested two others and rescued a kidnap victim during a search-and-rescue operation in Kaiama LGA.
Operation ENDURING PEACE in Plateau State recovered weapons from suspected militia hideouts and repelled an attack by about 100 armed assailants in Riyom LGA after a two-hour gun battle. Troops have continued to dominate the area to prevent further violence.
Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded multiple successes across Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Kogi states. Troops rescued kidnap victims, killed terrorists, destroyed criminal camps and recovered AK-47 rifles, G3 rifles, pistols and ammunition. Several suspected militia members, logistics suppliers, couriers, informants and terrorists were also arrested during coordinated operations.
In the Niger Delta, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified the crackdown on crude oil theft, uncovering illegal refining sites, bunkering camps and pipeline connections in Rivers State. Troops recovered more than 25,000 litres of stolen crude oil, illegally refined petroleum products and equipment used for illegal refining.
Separate operations in Edo and Rivers states led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, gun runners and arms suppliers, while six vehicles conveying suspected stolen crude oil were intercepted and five suspects taken into custody.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested three suspected IPOB/ESN members in Enugu State. Another operation targeting a forest hideout linked to kidnappers and attacks on security personnel led to the recovery of rifles and large quantities of ammunition.
The military said the nationwide successes underscore the professionalism and determination of the Armed Forces to degrade the capabilities of terrorists, kidnappers, separatists, oil thieves and other criminal elements.
It assured Nigerians that troops would sustain the current operational tempo until peace and security are fully restored across the country, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies.
