Odita Sunday 
Troops Neutralise Top Boko Haram Commander, Rescue Dozens, Arrest Terror Collaborators Nationwide
Odita Sunday
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says its troops recorded major operational successes across the country’s theatres of operation between July 17 and 23, 2026, including the killing of a senior Boko Haram commander, the rescue of kidnapped victims, the arrest of suspected terrorists and logistics suppliers, and the destruction of criminal hideouts and illegal oil refining sites.
According to the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the nationwide operations also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, stolen crude oil and other logistics while troops continued to secure major highways, rail corridors and critical national infrastructure against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI dealt a major blow to insurgents by neutralising Abu Salim Al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram commander and propaganda chief, during an attempted terrorist attack on Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. Air strikes by the Nigerian Army Aviation also eliminated scores of ISWAP/JAS fighters in Yaganari, Bama Local Government Area, while troops foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration of the University of Maiduguri, killing two insurgents.
The military also destroyed terrorist hideouts in Borno and Yobe States, rescued a mother and her two children alongside two young girls from captivity in Gwoza Local Government Area, and arrested several suspected ISWAP members, logistics suppliers, collaborators, a foreign fighter from Sudan, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, and multiple suspected kidnappers across the theatre.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified operations against terrorists in Kaduna and Zamfara States, arresting suspected collaborators accused of supplying logistics, collecting ransom and identifying targets for terrorist groups.
Troops also repelled attacks on communities, recovered weapons and ammunition, and rescued 11 abducted passengers after engaging terrorists who had barricaded the Gummi-Sokoto Road in Zamfara State. Another suspected collaborator, Mr Abubakar Tanimu, was arrested in Kaduna State over alleged involvement in ransom collection, sale of rustled cattle and harbouring terrorists.
Within the North Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised four suspected kidnappers during a rescue operation in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, rescued one victim and arrested two suspects who were handed over to the Police.
Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE sustained operations in Plateau State, recovering weapons from suspected militia hideouts and engaging armed assailants during an attack in Riyom Local Government Area, forcing them to retreat after a prolonged firefight.
Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops recorded multiple successes across Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Kogi States, rescuing kidnapped victims, neutralising terrorists, arresting suspected militia members, informants and logistics suppliers, while recovering several rifles, pistols and ammunition during clearance operations.
In the Niger Delta, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified the campaign against crude oil theft by uncovering several illegal refining sites and bunkering camps in Rivers State.
Working alongside the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Tantita Security Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security partners, troops recovered thousands of litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products, dismantled illegal refining equipment, intercepted six vehicles conveying suspected stolen crude oil, and arrested several suspects linked to oil theft and kidnapping activities in Rivers and Edo States.
Meanwhile, Operation UDO KA sustained operations against separatist agitators and criminal elements in the South East, arresting three suspected IPOB/ESN members in Enugu State.
Troops also raided a suspected criminal hideout along the Omoku-Ogbaku-Ndoni axis in Rivers State, recovering rifles and ammunition believed to have been used in kidnapping operations and attacks on security personnel.
Major General Onoja said the successes recorded during the week demonstrate the professionalism and commitment of the Armed Forces in combating terrorism, kidnapping, militancy and crude oil theft across the country.
He reassured Nigerians that troops would sustain the current operational tempo until lasting peace and security are restored nationwide, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies.
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