By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to intensify military operations aimed at decisively eliminating kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in the North Central region.

Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Addressing the troops, the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.

He noted that troops have continued to sustain operational momentum designed to deny criminal groups the freedom to terrorize innocent citizens, infiltrate communities or undermine national security.

He assured the personnel that the Army Headquarters was deploying the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts in Kwara and Niger states.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also reiterated his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, describing improved welfare as essential to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.

He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the democratically elected government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Major General Y Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership, timely interventions and sustained support towards improving the operational capacity of the task force.

Major General Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded major operational successes across multiple theatres of operation in May 2026, neutralising terrorists and criminal elements, rescuing abducted civilians, dismantling arms trafficking networks, and disrupting illegal refining activities nationwide.

Addressing journalists during the monthly operational briefing, military authorities said troops, working alongside other security agencies, sustained coordinated land, air, and maritime offensives aimed at defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting lives and property.

In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba States. The military disclosed that 73 insurgents were neutralised, 159 suspects arrested, 112 civilians rescued, while 18 terrorists surrendered during the period.

Among the key operations was a successful ambush in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on April 30, where four terrorists were killed and abducted women and children rescued from captivity.

Troops also repelled coordinated attacks on military formations in Magumeri and Gujba LGAs, recovering weapons and ammunition despite suffering casualties among soldiers.

The military further revealed that intensified pressure on insurgents led to an unprecedented wave of surrenders and rescues in May.

In one major operation on May 23, troops intercepted terrorists attempting a mass abduction along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno State and rescued 92 captives, including women and children, while also recovering abandoned vehicles and safely detonating improvised explosive devices planted along the route.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the neutralisation of 24 terrorists, the arrest of 13 suspects, and the rescue of 22 civilians across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

Military authorities highlighted a coordinated response to an attack on Forward Operating Base Bagega in Zamfara State, where air and ground forces jointly repelled terrorists. Troops also rescued 32 kidnapped victims during operations in Katsina State and arrested a suspected major gunrunner linked to notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji.

Operations under SAVANNAH SHIELD in Kwara and Niger States led to the arrest of 12 suspects, rescue of 24 civilians, and disruption of criminal support networks. Troops also carried out successful ambushes and air-supported offensives against suspected terrorist enclaves.

Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded significant breakthroughs across Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Troops arrested 36 suspects, rescued 15 civilians, and dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing syndicate in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Security operatives recovered fabricated AK-47 rifles, pistols, and industrial equipment used in illegal weapon production.

In the North-Central region, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained anti-kidnapping and anti-arms trafficking operations across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

The military said six terrorists were neutralised, 20 suspects arrested, and 13 kidnapped victims rescued during the operations.

Notable among the operations was the arrest of an ammunition courier transporting 500 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag of maize along the Obajana-Lokoja road.

Troops also intercepted logistics supplies meant for criminal groups operating in the Agbaja Forest and arrested suspected collaborators and spiritual aides allegedly supporting terrorist cells.

In the South-South region, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified efforts against oil theft and economic sabotage across Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States. According to the briefing, 14 suspects were arrested, three illegal refining sites destroyed, and over 21,000 litres of stolen petroleum products recovered.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations across all theatres, stressing that ongoing offensives were steadily degrading the operational capabilities of terrorists, kidnappers, arms traffickers, and other criminal groups threatening national security.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it killed several terrorists and disrupted a planned attack in Niger State during a series of intelligence-led operations.

The NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Ejodame said the strikes were carried out by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma Sector 1 between May 20 and May 23, across Rafi and Mariga Local Government Areas.

“On May 20, following credible intelligence on the movement and convergence of terrorists around Tungan Bako and Kasuwan Daji in Rafi LGA, the Air Component, in conjunction with the Nigerian Army Space Command Regiment, executed precision air interdiction strikes,” the statement read.

“The operation neutralized several terrorists and disrupted their operational build-up.”

It said that on May 21, the Air Component identified and engaged terrorists moving on motorcycles and on foot with rustled cattle from Tungunguna toward Uregi.

“The strikes neutralized the fighters and destroyed their movement and withdrawal capability.

“Later that day, the Air Component provided close air support to ground troops engaged with terrorists at Tungan Makeri.

The intervention successfully repelled the attackers and restored operational advantage to friendly forces.”