Military kills 12 terrorists, arrests 47, rescues 15 kidnapped victims nationwide

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops fighting to rid the nation of criminal elements have neutralised 12 terrorists, arrested 47 others and rescued 15 kidnapped victims, while thousands of litres of stolen crude oil products were recovered from oil thieves in the last week.

Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, while making this known on Friday, said troops dismantled several terrorist camps, intercepted critical logistics supply lines, and rescued numerous unlawfully abducted citizens.

Detailing the encounters, he said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin deployed at Kirawa on 15 May 2026 conducted clearance operations through Valle General Area, Ashigashiya, and Gakara in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA), neutralising 2 terrorists during a fierce engagement.

On 16 May 2026, troops in conjunction with local hunters clamped down on insurgent logistics at Kwayar Kusar Market in Kwayar Kusar LGA of Borno State and arrested 4 suspected cattle rustlers and terrorists’ collaborators who were in possession of 6 cows meant for illicit sale on behalf of the insurgents.

“Concurrently, significant humanitarian rescues and voluntary surrenders were recorded within the sector. On 17 May 2026, an adult male terrorist family member escaped the Kwatara enclave on the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops plying the Gwoza-Limankara route in Gwoza LGA of Borno State due to sustained military pressure and severe lack of basic needs.

‘This was followed on 19 May 2026 by the surrender of 2 adult females and 7 minors to troops in Dikwa LGA of Borno State, alongside another adult female, Alisha Sale, who surrendered to troops in Dikwa town on the same day.

“Meanwhile, in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, troops on routine check at Lawanti town near Baga on 20 May 2026 apprehended a female collaborator smuggling ready-to-use supplementary food and hijabs to her son, Modu Mustapha, a notorious terrorist commander operating in Mobbar LGA of Borno State.

“A 20-year-old terrorist suspect, Babakaka Bukar, surrendered to troops at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Nganzai LGA on 20 May 2026, turning in an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a mobile phone.

“On 21 May 2026, a suspected terrorist logistics supplier was arrested at Bama checkpoint with food items and other materials allegedly meant for terrorists.

“In Yobe State, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition abandoned by fleeing terrorists.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma on 15 May 2026 responded to an attack on Kwaga village in Birnin Gwari LGA in Kaduna state, where local vigilantes had courageously engaged the criminals.

“The operation neutralised 3 terrorists, recovered a G3 rifle, and facilitated the evacuation of 2 injured locals to the General Hospital Birnin Gwari, with subsequent route exploitation on 17 May 2026 yielding additional G3 magazines and 7.62mm NATO ammunition abandoned along the withdrawal path.

“In Katsina State, on 15 May 2026, troops arrested a major gunrunner at the General Hospital Batsari, in Batsari LGA of Katsina State, while he was seeking treatment for an undisclosed ailment. The suspect was unmasked as a primary supplier of military-grade weapons to notorious kingpins, including Bello Turji and the late Kachalla Black.

“In Zamfara State, troops deployed at Bagega, on 15 May 2026, responded to sporadic terrorist gunfire on the outskirts of the town in Anka LGA, successfully repelling the terrorists, though one civilian hit by a stray bullet was swiftly evacuated to Anka General Hospital for medical care.

“On 16 May 2026, troops intercepted a violent assault at Illela village in Maradu LGA, engaging the attackers with firepower, neutralising an unspecified number of terrorists, and capturing a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), an AK-47 rifle, multiple magazines, and 216 rounds of assorted live ammunition.

“To sustain total dominance, troops conducted a deliberate fighting patrol on 18 May 2026 to Gidan Kaso in Birnin Magaji LGA, forcing the terrorists to flee their stronghold prior to the troops’ arrival, resulting in the total destruction of their makeshift camps.

“On 21 May 26, in Katsina State, troops rescued a missing school pupil in Daura LGA and later neutralised one terrorist in Sabuwa LGA, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone.

“In North Central, troops of Operation Savannah Shield targeted the underground networks facilitating communication, armaments, and medical/drug logistics for active terrorist cells.

“On 14 May 2026, troops at FOB Kaiama arrested a terrorist operative who masterminded an earlier attack on police personnel at Tenebu village, following a communication intercept where the suspect explicitly described his role in the assault.

Simultaneously, troops operating at Bokungi in Edu LGA arrested a high-ranking gang leader travelling toward Ilorin from Ndeji, whose mobile devices contained graphic digital evidence of the suspect brandishing automatic rifles and exhibiting large quantities of extorted cash.

“On 16 May 2026, a cordon and search operation conducted at Tunga Maje in Kaiama LGA resulted in the apprehension of an insurgent informant whose mobile phone contact list directly exposed active linkages to a notorious terrorist leader, Abba Salma.

“Additionally, on 18 May 2026, intelligence tracking conducted by troops at Patrol Base Zambufu led to the prompt arrest of a suspect involved in the secret transshipment of a PKT machine gun and an AK-47 rifle from the Ndeji community to an undisclosed location.

“Follow-up investigations and immediate exploitation of the suspect’s testimonies led to the subsequent arrest of a second co-conspirator.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace, while responding to gunfire on 16 May 2026 at Sabon village in Mangu LGA, seized a getaway vehicle and subsequently arrested 5 fleeing criminal suspects.

“On the same day, troops patrolling near Assak village in Bassa LGA chased down two armed criminals who abandoned a sack containing two million, two hundred and ninety thousand naira (N2,290,000) only in suspected ransom cash.

“In Bauchi State, troops along the Duguri-Dogon Ruwa-Bogwas route in Alkaleri LGA on 16 May 2026 conducted a clearance operation resulting in an engagement at Bogwas where one terrorist was neutralised.

“Additionally, on 19 May 2026, two victims who had been abducted on 24 March 2026 from Jiji village escaped their captors and successfully reported to a troops’ location at Mansur in Alkaleri LGA before being reunited with their relatives.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Aliade, Gwer East LGA of Benue State, on 16 May 2026 swiftly countered an armed militia group attempting to violently disrupt the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.

“Troops engaged the militia, arrested one suspect, and recovered a getaway Sienna vehicle, an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and live ammunition.

“In Taraba State on 17 May 2026, troops alongside intelligence teams raided a residence in Sabon Gida village, Gassol LGA, arresting a gunrunner linked to the illicit sale of 23 AK-47 rifles to a rogue vigilante leader.

“On 18 May 2026, troops raided a terrorist hideout at Dooshima District, Sarkin Kudu in Ibi LGA, neutralised 2 terrorists, and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a fabricated pistol, and ritual vests.

“In Kogi State, troops conducting a fighting patrol through the Adankolo Forest Reserve and the Mosalasi-Boka general areas in Lokoja and Kabba/Bunu LGAs on 16 May 2026 intercepted and successfully rescued 7 kidnapped victims who had been held since 10 May 2026, administering immediate first aid before restoring them to their families.

“In Nasarawa State, an intelligence-driven operation on 19 May 2026 at Angwan Malama in Akwanga LGA led to the arrest of Joshua Abu, a compromised vigilante member caught colluding with kidnappers and spending ransom money lavishly. The suspect suddenly suffered medical distress during the initial investigation and was confirmed dead at the Nunku Primary Health Care centre, after which his remains were transferred to civil police authorities.

“On 21 May 2026, in Benue State, troops arrested four suspected terrorist collaborators during an operation in Gbise town, Katsina-Ala LGA, recovering a motorcycle, two mobile phones, and a camouflage uniform.

“Troops in Kogi State also responded to multiple security incidents across Yagba West, Okehi, and Kabba/Bunu LGAs.

In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted anti-kidnapping and economic protection operations in Cross River, Edo, and Delta States.

“In Edo State, troops launched Operation Ko Salo in conjunction with state security agencies and local hunters across several sectors between 15 and 18 May 2026 and cleared the Uwarlor Oke Forest in Esan North-East LGA, the Udo Government Reserve Forest, and the Emu Forest in Esan South-East LGA.

“Troops arrested 7 kidnappers, captured a locally made long-barrel gun, ammunition components, and transport motorcycles.

“Additional sweeps on 17 May 2026 around Egoro Amede village, Ekeke Forest, Ishiolili village, and Camp Sule Rugan Fulani in Owan East LGA led to the arrest of 2 more suspects.

“In Delta State, on 17 May 2026, troops dismantled a reactivated illegal oil refining site in the Amukpe area of Sapele LGA, seizing approximately 3,000 litres of illegally syphoned crude oil.

“In Cross River State troops operating a stop-and-search checkpoint at Oyeadama in Yakurr LGA on 17 May 2026 intercepted a criminal carrying two locally manufactured pistols who confessed under interrogation to purchasing the weapons from a syndicate inside the Nko community, initiating ongoing investigations.

On 20 May 2026, troops at FOB Amana intervened in a violent situation at the Atoro Baga 2 Utanga community in Obanliku LGA and rescued a suspected cultist named Cyprian who had shot his mother in the chest with a dane gun and attempted to murder his brother before being nearly lynched by an angry community mob.

“After local civil police rejected the suspect due to the severity of his injuries, troops took him into custody, recovered the Dane gun and mobile evidence, and provided medical stabilising security ahead of formal prosecution.

“On 21 May 2026, troops conducted an anti-illegal oil bunkering operation around Eleme Petrochemical Company Limited in Eleme LGA of Rivers State, where they discovered several vehicles loaded with stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed inside.

“Recovered vehicles included two Sienna buses, two minibuses, one Mitsubishi bus, and one Toyota Camry. Drivers of the vehicles were arrested and are in custody for investigation.

“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka, conducting a night patrol within the Ibeagu general area of Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State, on May 18, 2026, spotted 2 suspicious hoodlums transporting a concealed container; upon being challenged, the suspects fled into the bush, leaving behind a bag containing a locally fabricated pistol and live ammunition.

“On 19 May 2026, troops operating in Ivo LGA intercepted 4 illegal miners caught extracting mineral resources without authorisation. Troops recovered a mini-truck, heavy-duty sapper cables, and an automotive battery.

“While transporting the arrested suspects and seized equipment to the military base, troops were aggressively obstructed by an organised mob of local youths from the Ihietu community who attacked the convoy with stones to free the suspects; demonstrating extreme professional restraint, troops fired two warning shots into the air to safely disperse the rioters, restore public order, and ensure the secured delivery of the suspects for prosecution without recording any casualties.

Furthermore, he said, “The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commends the exceptional bravery, tactical precision, and unwavering resilience demonstrated by troops across all operational theatres.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in their constitutional responsibility, as troops continue to operate under strict adherence to international humanitarian law, rules of engagement, and the defence of constitutional democracy.

“Citizens are urged to remain highly vigilant, reject criminal propaganda, and continually support the military with timely, actionable intelligence to guarantee a safe, secure and peaceful nation.”

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