By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded multiple operational successes across the country between March 7 and March 12, 2026, repelling terrorist attacks, rescuing kidnapped victims and dismantling criminal networks as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard national security.

During a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said troops conducted coordinated intelligence-driven missions across all theatres of operation, targeting terrorist enclaves, kidnapping syndicates, illegal oil operations and other threats to national stability.

In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on insurgents linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

On March 11, troops supported by air power repelled a coordinated night attack by ISWAP fighters in Goniri, Yobe State, killing more than 20 terrorists, including a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu. Weapons, improvised explosive devices and ammunition were recovered during the operation.

Authorities also confirmed that 14 insurgents surrendered within the period, bringing the total number of former fighters who have surrendered under the government’s deradicalization programme, Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, to over 122,800 since 2015.

In the North-West, soldiers under Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out raids and patrols across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states. Troops intercepted weapons hidden in commercial vehicles, dismantled terrorist hideouts and rescued kidnapped victims along the Abuja–Kaduna road after engaging gunmen in a forest near the border between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.

Security forces also destroyed a terrorist enclave linked to the Lakurawa group in Sokoto State, arrested suspected terrorists in Kano State and apprehended 15 suspected logistics suppliers distributing fuel to criminal groups in Sabon Birni, Sokoto State.

Operations in the North-Central zone also yielded results. Troops under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued kidnapped victims and neutralized terrorists during engagements in Edu and Pategi local government areas of Kwara State. In one incident, soldiers responding to a distress call freed a kidnapping victim after engaging gunmen in a forested area.

Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE operating in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states rescued multiple victims and arrested suspects. Security personnel also intercepted a trailer carrying 802 bags of ammonium sulphate in Bauchi State, a substance authorities say could potentially be used in the manufacture of explosives.

In the North-Central theatre covered by Operation WHIRL STROKE, soldiers neutralized two suspected terrorists in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State and recovered weapons, SIM cards and ATM cards believed to be linked to wider criminal networks.

Meanwhile in the South-South region, troops conducting operations under Operation DELTA SAFE arrested suspected criminals in Delta State and neutralized three suspected kidnappers during a joint operation with local hunters in a forest in Edo State.

In the South-East, soldiers of Operation UDO KA continued operations against criminal elements linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. Troops cleared improvised explosive devices along a road in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State that had been abandoned for three years due to militant activity.

Security forces also dismantled illegal refining sites in Imo State, destroying equipment and storage tanks used in illicit oil operations.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and praised the public for providing intelligence that aided the operations. He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to intensifying operations across the country to dismantle remaining terrorist and criminal groups.

According to the military, collaboration with local communities, vigilante groups and other security agencies will continue as part of efforts to restore lasting peace and stability across Nigeria.

Nigeria has inaugurated a national baseline assessment to boost its counter-terrorism efforts against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The initiative, led by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja during the Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Baseline Self-Assessment Workshop.

The workshop was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service and the British High Commission.

Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Coordinator of the centre, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said the exercise was designed to critically examine Nigeria’s existing counter-IED capabilities and identify operational gaps across security institutions.

Laka described the initiative as a strategic follow-up to the Counter-IED Symposium held in March 2025 and a key step toward developing a comprehensive National Counter-IED Strategy.

He said IEDs remained one of the most dangerous weapons used by terrorist groups, particularly in the North-East, posing serious threats to military personnel, civilians and national infrastructure.

He noted that beyond the loss of lives and injuries, IEDs attacks had severely disrupted farming and economic activities, restricted humanitarian operations, displaced communities and weakened investor confidence in affected areas.

“These impacts go far beyond the battlefield and continue to affect the stability and recovery of communities across the country,” he said.

Laka explained that the assessment would utilise the Counter-IED Self-Assessment Framework developed by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research to generate empirical data and strengthen coordination among security agencies.

In her remarks, First Secretary at the British High Commission, Annup Vyas, said the United Kingdom was proud to support Nigeria in confronting the persistent threat posed by IEDs.

Vyas noted that the workshop marked an important milestone in the UK-Nigeria security and defence partnership aimed at strengthening national and regional stability.

“The threat from improvised explosive devices is ongoing and deeply damaging to lives, communities and regional stability.

“IEDs do not distinguish between soldiers, civilians or infrastructure. Their impact cuts across everything Nigeria is working to protect,” he added.

He emphasised that effective responses to the threat required not only resources and commitment but also a clear understanding of strengths, gaps and areas requiring improvement within Nigeria’s counter-IED architecture.

According to him, the assessment framework provides a structured methodology to evaluate national capabilities across prevention, detection, mitigation, investigation and consequence management.

The Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, Shamsideen Shafaru, said IEDs remain one of the most adaptive weapons used by hostile groups across several operational theatres.

Shafaru stressed that defeating the threat required a unified, intelligence-driven and capability-focused approach involving military, security, intelligence and civilian stakeholders.

He said the workshop would examine existing procedures, training frameworks, equipment and coordination mechanisms to identify capability gaps and strengthen operational synergy.

Shafaru reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers to supporting national counter-IED efforts through combat engineering expertise, technical innovation and force protection initiatives.

Edwin Faigmane, UNMAS Country Representative, said the workshop was part of a broader initiative to strengthen national capabilities in IED threat mitigation, protect civilians, and ensure the safety of security personnel.

Faigmane said the work of UNMAS focuses on mitigating threats from IEDs to personnel, civilians, and critical infrastructure.

He noted that the workshop uses a C-IED capability maturity self-assessment tool, developed by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, which allows participating security agencies to evaluate and prioritize national C-IED capacities.

Participants at the workshop include representatives of the armed forces, security and intelligence agencies, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as international partners supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, said Nigeria’s military still maintains control over insecurity in spite of renewed terrorist and bandit attacks in the North East.

Musa gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja after a strategic meeting with Service Chiefs and senior military officers to review operational strategies across various theatres of operation nationwide.

He said the meeting was convened to assess the current security situation and strengthen ongoing efforts to defeat terrorists and other criminal elements threatening national security.

“We had a quick meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country.

“We are aware of the issues on ground, but I want to assure Nigerians that members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure,” he said.

The minister acknowledged that the military had recorded some casualties in the course of operations, but stressed that terrorists and bandits were suffering heavier losses.

“We know we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more.

“We are taking out more of their commanders and destroying their assets, and we will continue to do that,” he added.

Musa urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies, noting that tackling insecurity required a whole-of-government and society approach.

He warned against the spread of false information on social media, stressing that misinformation could undermine security efforts and affect troop morale.

According to him, citizens should always verify security-related information with the Armed Forces rather than rely on unverified online reports.

The minister also appealed to media organisations to exercise professionalism and avoid amplifying terrorist propaganda through the circulation of videos and materials produced by criminal groups.

“When you use their videos and pictures, you give them the opportunity to shine and use it as propaganda to demoralise our troops,” he said.

Musa further urged Nigerians to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies and warned that individuals providing information or logistics support to terrorists would be treated as accomplices.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces and other security agencies, while also congratulating the new Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

He assured the new IGP of strong collaboration in addressing security challenges.

The meeting comes at a time when there is a resurgence of terrorists and bandits attack in the North Eastern part of the country

The military has in the last one week, lost a number of personnel while holding ground against the insurgents.

In the same vein, scores of terrorists and their commanders have been eliminated in recent operations across the theatre.