By Adesakin Adefemi
The Defence Headquarters has reported major gains against insurgents and criminal gangs across Nigeria, with coordinated military operations between June 4 and June 11, 2026, yielding rescues, arrests, and weapons recoveries in all geopolitical zones.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that the operations reflected the tactical ingenuity and dedication of troops under the strategic direction of Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede.
In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained heavy pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP remnants through intensive patrols, enclave clearances, and severed logistics routes across Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.
The most dramatic rescue occurred on June 6, 2026, when troops executed a multi-axis raid across the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza LGA, Borno State. The operation induced chaos in terrorist networks and enabled soldiers to rescue 360 civilians, mostly women and children abducted during the March 3 attack on Ngoshe community.
Regrettably, two infants died from the harsh mountain terrain. The remaining 358 survivors were evacuated to Gwoza General Hospital for treatment and nourishment before being handed over to local authorities for reintegration.
Between June 5 and June 11, troops also recovered an 8-year-old boy, Ali Musa, who escaped from Saha enclave, and intercepted six other women and children fleeing Saha and Chinene hideouts after military bombardments forced their captors to abandon camp. All escapees received medical screening and first aid before reunification.
Anti-logistics operations produced multiple arrests. On June 5, a 20-year-old terrorist, Fannami Ali, surrendered in Monguno with a bicycle, wristwatch, torchlight, and N2,500. Suspected informants and suppliers were picked up in Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno with items ranging from tramadol and agro-chemicals to mosquito nets and N100,000 worth of sweets funded by terrorists.
Tactical victories continued on June 7 and June 11 with the recovery of seven motorcycles, a PKT gun, over 1,070 rounds of ammunition, and an AK-47 with Arabic inscriptions abandoned by fleeing attackers in Mallam Fatori. In the North West, Operation Fansan Yamma arrested arms dealer Mallam Mustapha Abubakar and scores of other criminals in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara.
Operations in other regions also recorded success. Operation Savannah Shield in Niger State dismantled a terrorist surveillance network and arrested a high-value informant, while Operation Udo Ka in the South East scored landmark successes against IPOB/ESN and other criminal elements.
The Defence Headquarters said similar gains were recorded under Operation Enduring Peace in the North Central and Operation Delta Safe in the South.
