Military eliminates 317 Terrorists, Rescues 221 Civilians in May 2026 Operations

The Armed Forces of Nigeria [AFN] has disclosed that they neutralized 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects, and rescued 221 abducted civilians during coordinated operations across the country in May 2026.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said troops sustained “unrelenting and comprehensive offensive” across all theatres, working with sister security agencies to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protect civilians.

*North East: 73 Insurgents Killed, 112 Hostages Freed Under Operation HADIN KAI*
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 73 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and arrested 159 suspects between 1-25 May. Eighteen terrorists surrendered.

Key operations included a 7 May repelled ISWAP assault in Magumeri where troops neutralized scores of attackers and recovered PKT anti-aircraft guns and AK-47 rifles. Two soldiers died in the encounter.

Between 8-14 May, troops rescued 12 women and children abducted from Ngoshe, Borno State, in March 2026. On 23 May, troops intercepted a mass kidnapping along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Biu LGA, forcing militants to abandon 8 vehicles and 92 captives comprising 52 men, 33 women, and 7 children.

*North West: 24 Terrorists Neutralized, 22 Civilians Rescued Under Operation FANSAN YAMMA*

In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA killed 24 terrorists and arrested 13 suspects across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. Twenty-two civilians were rescued.

A major rescue occurred on 8 May in Matazu LGA, Katsina State, where 32 kidnapped victims and 26 livestock were freed from a terrorist enclave. Troops also arrested a major gunrunner in Batsari LGA supplying weapons to bandit kingpin Bello Turji.

*North Central: Arms Factories Dismantled, 24 Hostages Freed*

Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in Kwara and Niger states neutralized 2 insurgents, arrested 12 suspects, and rescued 24 civilians.

Operation ENDURING PEACE in Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, and environs neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 36 suspects, and rescued 15 civilians. Troops dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing complex in Vom, Jos South LGA, recovering 9 fabricated AK-47s and industrial equipment.

Operation WHIRL STROKE in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba states killed 6 terrorists, arrested 20 suspects, and rescued 13 civilians. A major logistics consignment for insurgents was intercepted in Agbaja Forest, Kogi State.

*South South: Illegal Refineries Destroyed, Oil Theft Foiled*

Operation DELTA SAFE arrested 14 suspects, destroyed 3 illegal refining sites, and recovered 21,910 litres of stolen petroleum products across Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states.

On 21 May, troops intercepted a convoy near Eleme Petrochemical Company, Rivers State, with vehicles modified to conceal stolen Premium Motor Spirit. Security personnel allegedly facilitating the crime were also arrested.

*South East: IPOB/ESN Network Degraded*
Operation UDO KA neutralized 3 IPOB/ESN terrorists, arrested 60 suspects, and rescued 18 civilians in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo states. Operations led to the recovery of weapons, illegal Biafran currency, and the rescue of 3 kidnapped victims in Oguta LGA, Imo State.

*Civil-Military Efforts*

In terms of civil military relationship he said that the Nigerian Air Force conducted medical outreaches in Maiduguri, providing free healthcare and relief materials to IDPs. In Zamfara, troops donated 400 bags of fertilizer to farmers in Maru LGA to boost food production ahead of the 2026 farming season.

*Mixed Trends, Renewed Push in Oyo*

Gen. Onoja noted a drop in terrorists neutralized compared to April but said arrests, civilian rescues, and terrorist surrenders rose. Arms and crude oil recoveries declined.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has directed reinforced operations in Oyo State following a recent kidnapping incident, using aerial surveillance and specialized ground forces.

“Troops will maintain a relentless posture until the perpetrators are brought to account and the region’s security is completely restored,” Onoja said.

The AFN commended troops for their gallantry and urged Nigerians to provide timely intelligence to sustain the gains.