The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Tuesday announced that Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede has directed a “comprehensive, security reinforcement across the general area” where terrorists are holding abducted teachers and schoolchildren in Oyo State.
Assuring that terrorists would be flushed out of the South West region, Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Michael Onoja told journalists in Abuja the military has been ordered to utilise “advanced aerial surveillance assets and mobilizing specialized ground forces in close coordination with State authorities.
“Proactive operational steps are already yielding valuable intelligence, and troops will maintain a relentless posture until the perpetrators are brought to account and the region’s security is completely restored.”
General Onoja also announced that military operatives killed 317 terrorists, arrested 314 others in various operations across the country in the month of May, 2026. He added that during the period under review, 221 abducted Nigerians were rescued while 18 terrorists surrendered to troops.
The Defence Operations Spokesperson also said 21,910 litres of assorted petroleum products were recovered from economic saboteurs during the same May.
Stating that the month “produced landmark achievements of considerable strategic significance,” General Onoja stated: “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained offensive operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP remnants across Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, and Yobe States, recording a compelling succession of operational successes during the period. In all, 73 insurgents were neutralized, 159 were arrested, 112 persons were rescued while 18 terrorists surrendered.
“Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained engagements against armed terrorists across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States throughout the period, severely degrading hostile networks through aggressive offensive action and precision intelligence operations. In all, 24 insurgents were neutralized, 13 were arrested, while 22 civilians were rescued.
“Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD conducted a series of decisive rescues, clearance, and interdiction operations across multiple Local Government Areas in Kwara and Niger States throughout the period, dismantling criminal support networks and delivering tangible security dividends to communities long threatened by violent criminal elements. In all, 2 insurgents were neutralized, 12 were arrested while 24 civilians were rescued.
“Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE demonstrated relentless operational drive across Plateau and parts of Bauchi, Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna and Nasarawa States during the period, recording landmark results in the neutralisation of kidnapping networks and the elimination of dangerous criminal infrastructure embedded within civilian communities. In all, 9 terrorists were neutralized, 36 were arrested while 15 civilians were rescued.
“Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted rescue, interdiction, and clearance operations targeting kidnapping syndicates, arms traffickers, and criminal networks across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, delivering sustained security to communities bearing the weight of persistent criminal predation. In all, 6 terrorist were neutralized, 20 terrorist were arrested while 13 civilians were rescued.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained a multi-domain offensive across Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States throughout the period, dismantling kidnapping networks and criminal economic saboteurs targeting Nigeria’s petroleum infrastructure. In all, 14 criminals were arrested, 3 illegal refining sites were destroyed while 21, 910 litres of assorted petroleum products were recovered.
“Troops of Operation UDO KA maintained an assertive operational posture across Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi States, systematically degrading the residual capacity of the proscribed IPOB/ESN secessionist terrorist organisation while concurrently combating violent criminality and illegal economic extraction. In all, 3 terrorist were neutralized, 60 terrorist were arrested and 18 civilians were rescued.”
Speaking on the non-kinetic activities carried out by Defence Headquarters, the DDMO said: “In furtherance of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s enduring commitment to non-kinetic and humanitarian engagement, the Nigerian Air Force intensified civil-military relations activities in Maiduguri through a comprehensive medical outreach programme conducted in close collaboration with security and humanitarian partners.”
The programme, he disclosed extended free medical consultations, dental and eye care, medications, and specialist referrals for severe cases to hundreds of residents.
“Complementing these humanitarian efforts, on 13 May 2026, the Nigerian Army, through Operation FANSAN YAMMA, donated 400 bags of fertilizer to farming communities in Maru LGA of Zamfara State to boost food production.
“Representatives of the local government and the Emirate Council warmly commended the gesture as a vital and tangible support to farmers burdened by rising input costs and the persistent challenge of insecurity in the region,” he stated.
The Spokesperson insisted that the operational outcomes recorded across all theatres of operation during the period constitute an irrefutable and resounding testament to the strategic clarity, combat effectiveness, and institutional resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“From the sustained neutralisation of Boko Haram/ISWAP formations in the North East and the interdiction of bandit networks across the North West, to the rescue of over a hundred kidnapped civilians across the North Central, the dismantling of illegal arms manufacturing networks, the seizure of sophisticated oil-theft convoys in the South South, and the systematic degradation of separatist criminal elements in the South East, the AFN has demonstrated a comprehensive and growing operational capability that decisively engages the full spectrum of threats confronting the country.
“The Defence Headquarters explicitly acknowledges the recent kidnapping incident reported within Oyo State. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, extends his heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the affected families, the government and good people of Oyo State, reaffirming that the AFN views any threat to civilian peace as an intolerable affront to national sovereignty.
“In immediate response, the CDS has directed a comprehensive, security reinforcement across the general area, utilizing advanced aerial surveillance assets and mobilizing specialized ground forces in close coordination with state authorities. Proactive operational steps are already yielding valuable intelligence, and troops will maintain a relentless posture until the perpetrators are brought to account and the region’s security is completely restored.”