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.”

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Following All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for Senatorial aspirants in which former Delta state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, won their respective primaries, and were cleared to contest, Nigerians of all hue have condemned the development.

Okowa and Bello are currently standing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption running into billions of Naira.

The anti-graft agency arrested Okowa in November 2024 over allegations of diverting ₦1.

Details of the allegations include:The N1.3 Trillion Derivation Fund: The EFCC is probing his alleged failure to account for massive sums of 13% oil derivation funds allocated to Delta State between 2015 and 2023.

He is accused of failing to account for ₦40 billion that he allegedly claimed was used to purchase an 8% equity stake in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Investigators have also stumbled on the suspected diversion of state funds to acquire major real estate estates in Asaba and Abuja.

Following his arrest, Okowa left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This led to public speculation that the probe might be dropped.

It seems the probe has gone into political cooler, though The EFCC has maintained that the defection offers no shield or immunity.

Despite subsequent outcry over the pace of the investigation, the agency publicly stated that the corruption probe remains active.

Bello on the other hand, is facing two major corruption and money laundering trials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC): ₦80.2 Billion Case: A 19-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding funds allegedly diverted from the Kogi State treasury and used to acquire luxury properties in Nigeria and Dubai.₦110.4 Billion Case: A 16-count charge in the FCT High Court bordering on criminal breach of trust and property fraud.

The EFCC accuses Bello of extensive financial misconduct, including diverting state funds through multiple bureau-de-change operators and linked companies.

The agency also alleged he withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars directly from state coffers to pay his children’s school fees in advance.

Bello has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that the charges brought against him are politically motivated.
He has repeatedly evaded arrest and stalled his arraignment in court, leading to highly publicized standoffs with the EFCC at his Abuja residence and the Kogi State Government Lodge.

Despite the ongoing multibillion-naira fraud trials, the All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared Bello to participate in and win the party’s senatorial primary for Kogi Central, setting the stage to challenge the incumbent senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Reacting to the development, Professor Abdullah Abubakar, a political scientist said that ” the victories of Okowa and Bello are a testament to the long held belief by many Nigerians that this administration is hub of corruption. Imagine politicians standing trial for high profile corruption cases are being given clean bill of health to run for a place at the National Assembly to represent the same people whose money they looted brazenly. Tinubu’s administration is a joke. This government will go down in history as the most tragically comic administration we have ever had.”

In his own reaction, Biodun Agunbiade, a civil servant told said that “when I heard that Okowa had defeated the amiable senator Nwoko I knew Nigeria is finished. It’s like a nightmare. Can you imagine Okowa who is under corruption trial defeating Nwoko who had done well for his people? APC as a part, at least with this development, is a comedy of error. Nigerians should reject them at the polls.”

The question that has continued to agitate many Nigerians is : why the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa and other political office seekers facing criminal charges should be allowed to contest elections in Nigeria?

Why has the ‘people’ at the centre of these corruption cases be allowed to participate in APC Senatorial Primary or involved in the political scenario of Delta North and Kogi Central ?

Desmond Atake, an activist said “Nigeria under the current administration has lost its moral compass.”

He noted that “Presently, Okowa, Bello and others who have corruption cases hanging on their necks should be treated as a political lepers and ought to have been ostracized from politics. Yet APC is rewarding them.”

According to Wilson Okonkwo, a data analyst ” the victory of Okowa is the best example of what we can call government giving official backing to corruption.”

Ahmed Walata, a political analyst said “until corrupt politicians like Okowa, Bello and others are given public execution to serve as deterrent to others who have intentions of using public funds in enriching themselves, Nigeria will continue to move from bad to worse.”

He continues, “In country like China, if you were involved in corrupt Malpractices, you are executed. ln Japan, you commit suicide. In Europe and America, you are jail.

“Why then in Africa, especially in Nigeria, you are allowed to continue to participate in politics and hold public office, walk around freely in the society, dictate the tones and withhold your loot?

“The anti graft agency of Nigeria should tell Nigerians why Okowa is allowed to have freedom to the extent of having the impunity to contest the recent Delta North Senatorial Primary, while Nasir El Rufai , the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, who is facing same charges is still held by the anti graft?

“Why has the anti graft agency having concluded the investigations on Okowa, refused to charge him to court?”