Armed Forces of Nigeria on Tuesday said its troops operating across different theatres nationwide recorded 317 terrorist and criminal deaths in May 2026, while 221 kidnapped civilians were rescued during coordinated land, air and maritime operations.
The military also disclosed that 314 suspects were arrested, 18 terrorists surrendered, 93 weapons were recovered, while three illegal refining sites were destroyed during operations carried out across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a monthly briefing on ongoing military operations.
He said troops maintained sustained offensives against insurgents, kidnappers, bandits, oil thieves and arms traffickers across the country throughout the month.
According to him, in the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, troops recorded some of the biggest gains of the month with several terrorists killed and dozens of abducted victims rescued.
The military said troops repelled multiple attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Borno and Yobe states, including a major assault in Magumeri where terrorists were overpowered after heavy fighting.
Perhaps one of the biggest rescue operations recorded during the month happened along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno State where troops rescued 92 kidnapped commuters after terrorists attempted a mass abduction.
According to the military, a Quick Reaction Force pursued the attackers into the Mangari-Dora area, forcing them to abandon eight vehicles and all the captives.
The rescued victims included 52 men, 33 women and seven children.
The Defence Headquarters also confirmed that troops intercepted terrorist logistics suppliers, recovered weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices, while several insurgents surrendered during the operations.
In the North West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out offensives across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto states.
At least 24 terrorists were neutralised during the operations, while several kidnapped victims were rescued from fortified hideouts used by the criminal groups.
One of the operations led to the rescue of 32 kidnapped persons, including women and children, during a raid on a terrorist enclave in Katsina State.
The Defence Headquarters further revealed that a major gunrunner linked to notorious bandit leaders, including Bello Turji, was arrested during the period.
In the North Central, troops under Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE intensified anti-kidnapping and anti-arms trafficking operations across Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara and Taraba states.
Part of the breakthrough recorded during the month was the discovery and dismantling of an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Troops recovered fabricated AK-47 rifles, pistol components, welding machines and other weapon production equipment from the site.
Troops also arrested suspected kidnappers, gunrunners and collaborators believed to be working with criminal gangs operating in the region.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the military said a joint raid in Lugbe led to the arrest of 61 criminal suspects, while weapons, motorcycles and communication equipment were recovered.
In the South South, Operation DELTA SAFE focused heavily on anti-kidnapping and anti-oil theft operations.
Troops arrested suspected kidnappers in Edo State, rescued abducted victims and destroyed criminal camps during clearance operations.
The military also intensified operations against oil thieves in Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
According to the Defence Headquarters, over 21,000 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered, while illegal refining sites were dismantled.
One of the major operations was carried out near the Eleme Petrochemical Company in Rivers State.
During the raid, security forces intercepted several vehicles allegedly modified for illegal fuel transportation.
Drivers and security personnel allegedly aiding the operation were arrested.
In the South East under Operation UDO KA, troops sustained operations against criminal gangs and members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN group.
The military said suspects linked to gunrunning, kidnapping and illegal mining activities were arrested in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states.
Troops also rescued kidnapped victims during operations in Imo State after gun battles with fleeing kidnappers.
Beyond combat operations, the Defence Headquarters said the Armed Forces also carried out humanitarian and civil-military activities during the month.
The Nigerian Air Force conducted medical outreach programmes in Maiduguri, while troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Zamfara State ahead of the farming season.
Speaking on the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, the Defence Headquarters said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, had ordered immediate reinforcement of security operations in the affected area.
The military said aerial surveillance and specialised ground troops had already been deployed in collaboration with state authorities.
Major General Onoja praised troops across the different operational theatres for their sacrifice and resilience during the operations.
He also urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
The Defence Headquarters insisted that operations would continue across all theatres until terrorist groups, kidnappers and other criminal networks are dismantled.
