The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has commended troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for what he described as extraordinary gallantry, tactical ingenuity and unwavering professionalism demonstrated across all operational theatres during the month of May 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja on ongoing military operations conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria during the month under review.
Major General Onoja said, “The military achieved notable operational gains, with troops neutralising 317 terrorists and other criminal elements, arresting 314 suspects, and rescuing 221 kidnapped and vulnerable civilians, while 18 terrorists surrendered to troops during coordinated operations nationwide.”
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He further disclosed that troops recovered 93 assorted arms, destroyed three illegal refining sites and recovered 21,910 litres of assorted petroleum products, dealing significant blows to criminal and economic sabotage networks operating in different parts of the country.
According to him, the Defence Headquarters also acknowledged the recent kidnapping incident reported in Oyo State, with the Defence Chief extending heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the affected families, the Oyo State Government and residents of the state.
General Onoja said, “General Oluyede reaffirmed that the Armed Forces view threats against civilian peace and security as an intolerable affront to national sovereignty and assured that decisive actions had already commenced to restore normalcy in the affected area.”
He explained that, in immediate response to the incident, the CDS directed comprehensive security reinforcement across the affected area through the deployment of advanced aerial surveillance platforms and specialised ground forces working in close coordination with relevant state authorities.
The Defence spokesman noted that the ongoing operations and intelligence-driven missions are already yielding valuable information, stressing that troops would maintain relentless pressure until the perpetrators are apprehended and lasting security is restored.
Providing a comparative analysis of military activities for March, April and May 2026, Major General Onoja said “the Armed Forces recorded mixed operational outcomes, including a reduction in terrorist neutralisation but an increase in arrests, civilian rescues and terrorist surrenders”.
He noted that “there was also a decline in arms recoveries, crude oil seizures and destruction of illegal refining sites during the period”.
General Onoja stressed that the operational outcomes recorded nationwide remain a clear testament to the strategic direction and combat effectiveness of the Armed Forces, citing sustained offensives against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, disruption of bandit networks in the North-West, rescue operations in the North-Central, destruction of illegal arms manufacturing networks, anti-oil theft operations in the South-South and intensified actions against separatist criminal elements in the South-East.
He added that “the CDS charged commanders to sustain operational momentum, prioritise troop welfare and continue protecting civilians, while calling on Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence”.
