The Defence Headquarters says troops across Nigeria have sustained military operations against terrorists, kidnappers, criminal gangs and oil thieves, recording notable successes that included the rescue of dozens of victims and the arrest of several collaborators and logistics suppliers.
Briefing reporters, Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja said forces in every theatre of operation maintained sustained pressure on criminal networks, leading to arrests, recoveries and hostage rescues.
In the North East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai intensified counterterrorism efforts against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province remnants. Ten family members of terrorists surrendered in Gwoza and Pulka, while troops arrested several suspected collaborators, logistics suppliers and a suspected foreign spy in Borno State, including one suspect who confessed to supplying terrorists with fuel. The operation also foiled infiltration attempts in parts of Jere Local Government Area and recovered a terrorist’s body during follow up operations. Troops rescued several kidnap victims, including a man abducted in Bauchi State in April and a woman and six other civilians rescued near Gwoza.
In the North West, Operation Fansan Yamma sustained offensive operations against terrorists and collaborators across Zamfara and Kebbi states, arresting suspects, neutralizing three terrorists, rescuing 13 abducted civilians and recovering two vehicles used in attacks on commuters.
General Onoja said Operation Savannah Shield in the North Central rescued four kidnap victims in Niger and Kwara states while neutralizing a terrorist and recovering an assault rifle, magazines and a locally made gun. He added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace intercepted suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna, recovering three locally fabricated rifles and four submachine guns, and that troops also arrested a suspect linked to attacks in Plateau State and rescued four kidnap victims after responding to a highway blockade.
He said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke intercepted a courier carrying 60 rounds of ammunition and arrested four suspected collaborators, and also rescued a school principal, an examinations council official and two students abducted during an attack on a testing center in Kogi State.
In the South South, Operation Delta Safe uncovered illegal refining sites in Rivers State containing stolen crude oil and dismantled equipment used in the operation. Troops also neutralized two kidnappers in Edo State, recovered three rifles and ammunition, and rescued three abductees.
In the South East, Operation Udo Ka arrested suspected kidnappers and members of a banned separatist group, recovering an assault rifle, ammunition, a pump action gun and cartridges. Troops rescued two abducted victims after intercepting a truck hijacked along the Aba Port Harcourt Expressway.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their professionalism and praised the intelligence led collaboration that secured the unconditional release of 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
In a separate incident, troops of the Joint Task Force North East under Operation Hadin Kai, working with the Nigeria Police Mobile Force, repelled an attempted mass abduction by Islamic State West Africa Province fighters at the Federal Government Girls College in Monguno at about 1:30 a.m. on July 19, 2026. The facility is currently serving as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
According to a statement from the task force’s acting military information officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, the attackers reportedly gained entry with help from suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students. Security personnel engaged the attackers with coordinated firepower while a rapid response unit reinforced the school, forcing the attackers to abandon the operation and flee.
Separately, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation Udo Ka, working with other security agencies, dismantled a kidnapping syndicate in Imo State, recovering part of a ransom payment and a vehicle allegedly used in the crime. According to the acting deputy director of army public relations for 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, the intelligence led operation led to one arrest and the recovery of suspected ransom proceeds.
The statement said troops acting on credible intelligence carried out a search operation in Njaba Local Government Area, where they recovered a bag believed to have been used to transport ransom funds, apparently abandoned after the proceeds had already been shared among the syndicate’s members. Further investigation led to the arrest of a suspect at a residential property, where a search uncovered a black Lexus sedan believed to have been used in the abduction, along with mobile phones, identity documents and nearly 300,000 naira in cash suspected to be part of the ransom. The statement said the rescued victim later identified the suspect as one of those involved.
