Troops Kill Over 20 Terrorists in 1 Week, Rescue Scores in Nationwide Operations — DHQ
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Troops Kill Over 20 Terrorists in 1 Week, Rescue Scores in Nationwide Operations — DHQ
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The troops of Armed Forces of Nigeria have killed no fewer than 20 terrorists and rescued dozens of kidnapped victims in coordinated nationwide operations conducted across multiple theatres between May 8 and 14, 2026.
In a weekly operational update issued by the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said land and air components continued “aggressive offensive and counter-terrorism operations” across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East and South-South, targeting insurgents, bandits, gunrunners and oil thieves.
According to Onoja, in the North-East theatre under Operation Hadin Kai, troops recorded one of the most significant encounters of the week when they repelled a large-scale terrorist attack in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
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Five terrorists were neutralised in the firefight, though three soldiers lost their lives during the operation.
Earlier in the week, troops had intercepted a terrorist logistics convoy along the Banki–Kumshe road in Borno State, forcing insurgents to abandon supplies and retreat into surrounding terrain.
In the North-West, under Operation Fansan Yamma, troops intensified clearance operations across Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Sokoto States, engaging terrorists in multiple encounters.
At Dikawa in Katsina State, troops neutralised two terrorists during an offensive operation and rescued 32 kidnapped victims.
Additional ambushes and patrols across Katsina and Kaduna resulted in further engagements in which three more terrorists were killed.
In Sokoto State, troops foiled an attempted attack on Nigeria Immigration Service infrastructure along the border with the Niger Republic, killing two terrorists in the process.
Across the North-Central zone, operations under Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke led to further casualties among armed groups.
In Niger State, troops repelled an attack on a military location and neutralised one terrorist, while follow-up exploitation yielded additional recovered weapons and intelligence materials.
In Kogi State, troops ambushed armed suspects along the Obajana axis, killing one terrorist and recovering AK-47 rifles and ammunition.
In Plateau and Nasarawa States, several arrests were made in intelligence-driven operations targeting kidnapping syndicates and logistics networks.
In Benue State, a swift response operation led to the rescue of a senior police officer abducted along a highway, alongside another victim.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe continued its offensive against oil theft and kidnapping networks, uncovering illegal refining infrastructure and recovering thousands of litres of stolen petroleum products across Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Delta States.
Several suspects linked to violent crimes were also arrested during the period.
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka sustained pressure on suspected separatist-linked criminal groups, leading to arrests in Abia and Anambra States, as well as recovery of locally fabricated firearms.
Troops also foiled a kidnapping escape attempt along the Aba–Port Harcourt corridor.
A breakdown of operational outcomes across theatres indicates that at least 21 terrorists were neutralised within the reporting period, with the highest casualties recorded in Yobe and Katsina States during direct confrontations with troops.
The military also confirmed the rescue of multiple kidnapped victims across different operations, including 32 abductees freed in Katsina State alone, while others were recovered in Borno, Benue and Plateau States through coordinated ground and air operations.
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ further noted that troops also arrested several suspected collaborators, gunrunners and logistics suppliers, many of whom are currently undergoing interrogation.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for what he described as “sustained battlefield dominance and operational discipline,” while honouring personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
He reiterated the Armed Forces’ commitment to maintaining pressure on criminal elements nationwide and urged continued cooperation from communities through timely intelligence sharing.
