Air Strikes Kill 46 Terrorists in Niger as Troops Arrest Collaborators, Recover Weapons
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have intensified offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements across the country, recording significant successes in multiple theatres between August 7 and 13, 2026.
The latest operational update, released by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, on Friday, August 14, showed that troops sustained coordinated ground and air operations that resulted in the neutralisation of terrorists, arrest of suspected collaborators, rescue of kidnapped victims and recovery of weapons, ammunition and suspected stolen petroleum products.
From the troubled forests of the North-East to the oil-rich creeks of the Niger Delta, troops also disrupted terrorist logistics networks, destroyed criminal hideouts and denied armed groups freedom of movement.
North-East: Terrorists Under Pressure as Fighters Surrender
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI continued to weaken terrorist networks across Borno and Adamawa states.
Troops neutralised terrorists in Kaniram East, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, after tracing a fighter linked to an earlier attack on troops in Mallam Fatori.
In Adamawa, troops disrupted terrorists collecting illegal taxes from herders along the Gaba-Dzangola axis in Gombi Local Government Area, forcing the criminals to retreat and abandoning weapons and ammunition.
The military also arrested several suspected logistics facilitators and collaborators in Adamawa and Borno states.
One of the significant developments in the theatre was the surrender of 19 persons, comprising terrorist fighters, women, children and teenagers, at different locations in Borno State.
The military said the surrendering persons cited food shortages, sustained military pressure and internal fighting among terrorist factions as reasons for abandoning their enclaves.
Troops also thwarted a terrorist infiltration attempt in Nganzai, neutralising one terrorist and recovering an assault rifle, ammunition, anti-tank bombs, a rocket-propelled grenade charger and a communication radio.
In another major breakthrough, troops rescued five female abductees who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
North-West: Terrorist Networks Disrupted
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded major engagements against terrorists in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna and Kano states.
Troops forced terrorists to flee from engagements in Zamfara, recovering motorcycles, camouflage uniforms and communication equipment.
A suspected terrorist collaborator and logistics facilitator was also arrested in Maradun, Zamfara State, with ₦5.302 million allegedly meant for terrorist associates recovered from him.
In Kebbi State, troops responded to an attack at Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area, neutralising 18 terrorists. The military, however, reported casualties among local security personnel and civilians during the encounter.
Two suspected foreign nationals believed to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED) experts were also arrested in Zurmi, Zamfara State.
North-Central: Troops Rescue 25 Kidnap Victims
The North-Central theatre also recorded significant gains, particularly against kidnapping networks.
Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops rescued 16 kidnap victims along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes in Kogi State.The victims comprised six men, six women and four children.
Another nine victims were rescued along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road after troops intercepted the kidnappers’ vehicles, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee.
In Benue State, troops also dismantled a hideout linked to a wanted associate of a notorious kidnap kingpin and arrested five suspected members of the criminal network.
Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE troops rescued a kidnapped woman in Plateau State after sustained pressure forced her abductors to abandon her.
In Niger State, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD troops rescued nine male kidnap victims in Mariga Local Government Area following sustained operations against terrorists operating in the area.
South-South: Military Strikes at Oil Theft Networks
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations against kidnappers, crude oil thieves and illegal refiners.
In Edo State, troops rescued a kidnapped farmer during a covert operation that resulted in the neutralisation of one kidnapper. The operation also led to the recovery of ₦1.5 million reportedly intended as ransom.
In Rivers State, troops uncovered an illegal refining site at Bethel Community, Bonny Local Government Area, recovering approximately 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
Another operation along the Onne-Okrika waterways led to the interception of a speedboat carrying about 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
Troops also discovered concealed storage facilities along the Oteghele axis containing approximately 60,000 litres and 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
The military said the operations were aimed at dismantling oil theft and illegal bunkering networks and protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure.
South-East: Kidnap Syndicate Suffers Major Blow
In the South-East, Operation UDO KA, working with the Department of State Services (DSS), dismantled parts of a kidnap syndicate operating across Enugu and neighbouring states.
Following the abduction of two persons in Udi Local Government Area on August 2, troops tracked the syndicate and ambushed its members on August 9.
A syndicate commander was neutralised, while another sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape.
Further operations led to the arrest of another suspected member of the syndicate and the recovery of $1,000, ₦785,900, mobile phones and other items.
Using information obtained from the arrested suspects, troops subsequently recovered a cache containing four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest hideout.
Air Component Delivers Heavy Blow
The military’s air component also delivered significant blows against terrorists, particularly in Niger State.
On August 9, aircraft conducted an armed reconnaissance mission over Sangeko and Baba-Doka areas of Mariga Local Government Area after intelligence reports indicated a large concentration of terrorists on motorcycles.
The targets were engaged with rockets and cannon fire, with initial reports indicating the recovery of approximately 120 bodies and 300 motorcycles at the location.
In another operation on August 13, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA tracked terrorists fleeing with rustled cattle around Maburya in Mariga Local Government Area.
The terrorists were engaged with onboard weapons systems, resulting in the neutralisation of 46 terrorists.
CDS Commends Troops, Security Agencies
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops across the various theatres for their commitment and sustained operational tempo.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, local security groups and other security agencies whose collaboration, according to the military, continues to produce positive results.
The CDS further appealed to Nigerians to provide credible information that could assist ongoing operations, assuring citizens that the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting lives and property.
The latest operational successes underscore the military’s continued push to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks, rescue victims and restore stability in communities affected by insecurity across the country.
