The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) said troops deployed across various operational theatres rescued 369 kidnapped and abducted civilians and arrested at least 45 terrorist suspects during operations conducted across the country between June 5 and 11, 2026.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, and made available to Defence correspondents, said troops also arrested informants and criminal collaborators, and recovered large caches of arms and ammunition.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 369 civilians, including 360 women and children freed during a major raid on terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State. Troops also arrested several terrorist informants and logistics suppliers, while recovering weapons, motorcycles and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Under Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West, troops arrested suspected arms traffickers and eight terrorist suspects, recovered more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, weapons, communication equipment and motorcycles, and neutralised terrorists during fighting patrols in Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina states.
In the North-Central region, troops of Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE arrested suspected terrorists, kidnappers and informants, rescued 21 kidnapped victims, recovered firearms and disrupted criminal networks operating in Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi and Taraba states.
Operations in the South-South led to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers and the recovery of over 5,500 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products. Troops also dismantled illegal oil bunkering facilities across Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Edo states.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested nine suspected IPOB/ESN members and other criminal suspects, while recovering 19 firearms, including AK-47 rifles, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), an RPG launcher, hand grenades and more than 1,000 rounds of assorted ammunition during raids in Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The military said the operations reflect the sustained pressure being mounted against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements across the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces would remain relentless in protecting lives, securing communities and preserving the country’s territorial integrity.
