By Chimezie Godfrey
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has intensified coordinated nationwide operations, neutralising terrorists, rescuing dozens of kidnapped victims, intercepting ₦37 million suspected funds and dismantling illegal refining sites across multiple theatres of operation.
The Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday detailing military activities conducted between February 13 and 19, 2026.
According to Major General Onoja, troops sustained intelligence-driven and offensive operations across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East, recording significant operational gains against terrorists, bandits, oil thieves and other criminal elements.
He said in the North-East, troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI maintained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP elements across Borno and Yobe states, neutralising scores of terrorists, arresting seven suspects and rescuing three kidnapped victims.
In a major development, Onoja revealed that troops intercepted five suspected individuals along the Maiduguri–Magumeri axis in possession of ₦37 million in cash allegedly meant for distribution on behalf of an international NGO, Action Against Hunger. The suspects and the funds, he said, are currently under investigation to determine the legitimacy of the transaction and rule out possible terrorist financing.
Similarly, troops arrested one Mallam Dauda Usman Gubula in Madagali, Adamawa State, following intelligence on terrorist logistics movement. Two aerial drones and 20 solar power banks were recovered from the suspect.
In the North-West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted aggressive operations across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Kebbi and Kaduna states, arresting nine terrorists and rescuing 26 kidnapped victims. Recovered items included weapons, vehicles and rustled livestock. Onoja noted that the donation of 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers by the Zamfara State Government would further strengthen ongoing operations in the theatre.
Across the North-Central region, troops of Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE recorded multiple successes in Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kogi and Nasarawa states. Five terrorists were arrested and seven kidnapped victims rescued in Kwara and Niger states. In Plateau and parts of Kaduna, troops neutralised several terrorists, arrested suspects and rescued six abducted victims, while five others were freed during a joint operation involving local security groups.
Operation WHIRL STROKE also led to the arrest of 11 terrorists, including the wife of a wanted terror kingpin, an arrest the military believes could yield critical intelligence on terrorist networks and financing. Four kidnapped victims were equally rescued, while arms, ammunition and logistics were recovered.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE dismantled four illegal refining sites and arrested oil thieves, while also recovering arms and ammunition. Troops further seized methamphetamine valued at over ₦5 million during operations in Delta and Cross River states, underscoring what Onoja described as the nexus between oil theft and organised crime.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested eight suspected terrorists in Ebonyi State, destroyed illegal camps and rescued kidnapped victims. In Imo State, troops engaged armed elements identified as IPOB/ESN members, neutralised some fighters and recovered rifles.
Major General Onoja reiterated the Armed Forces’ commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that troops remain guided by established rules of engagement and respect for human rights.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their sustained offensive posture and urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible information through the toll-free emergency line 193.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will remain proactive, adaptive and decisively focused on neutralising all threats to national peace and stability,” Onoja stated.