By Miriam Humbe
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have continued to maintain the momentum of operations across the various geopolitical zones in the country, with consistent efforts made to deny terrorists, kidnappers, gunrunners and other criminal groups freedom of action between 30 October – 5 November 2026.
Major General Michael Onoja, the Director Defence Media Operations disclosed this in a weekly press briefing for the period of October 30-November 5, 2026.
These operations sustained pressure on the criminals and reinforced the AFN’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, protecting lives and property, and restoring lasting peace and security across the country.
Here’s a full text of the briefing:
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
In the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation HADIN KAI inflicted heavy losses on terrorists who attempted to strike at troops’ locations in Borno and Yobe States.
Subsequently, troops pressed home the advantage with clearance operations and a wave of arrests. On the night of 29 October 2026, terrorists approached Buni Yadi in Gujba LGA of Yobe State, from the Timbuktu Triangle axis.
However, troops countered the attack and subsequent exploitation on 30 October 2026 discovered the bodies of 48 terrorists, along with 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.
On 31 October 2026, troops operations around Apama and Jauro Bashir along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, recovered three corpses, an AK-47 rifle and 188 rounds of ammunition.
Same day, terrorists also attempted to infiltrate a troops’ location at Bitta in Gwoza LGA of Borno State but were forced to retreat.
Exploitation at first light recovered the bodies of seven terrorists, four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio.
Troops also received several surrendered members of terrorist groups, rescued escapees and dismantled terrorist support networks across the theatre.
Between 2 – 4 November 2026, twelve terrorist fighters and family members surrendered at New Abaram Resettlement Village and Banki Junction in Bama LGA and near Ngurusoye in Gwoza LGA in Borno State.
Most cited intense military pressure and disagreements between rival JAS and ISWAP factions.
On 2 November 2026, troops rescued a female abductee who had escaped from the Mandara Mountains at Hudugum, Hambagda, along the Gwoza-Limankara Road.
In all, troops arrested 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers, among them suppliers and informants at Benisheikh in Kaga LGA on 31 October and 2 November 2026.
Similarly, three suppliers at Damboa and two suspected fighters from the Diffa Region of Niger Republic were intercepted at Garin Gada in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State on 3 November 2026 while on their way to procure logistics for terrorists along the Nigeria-Niger border.
On 5 November 2026, troops and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency conducted search operations at several motor parks in Maiduguri to disrupt terrorists’ supply networks and arrested 36 suspects.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained operations in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara States. On 30 October 2026, following a distress call from Ribah in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, troops cleared the Ribah-Dirindaji Road.
This led to a search and rescue operation and an aggressive night pursuit towards Rambo Village, which forced the terrorists to abandon seven kidnapped victims.
On 31 October 2026, troops on patrol along the Wasagu-Falfala Road in the same LGA responded to an ambush, forcing the terrorists to flee and abandon four victims abducted from their farms in Wasagu Village.
On 3 November 2026, troops also conducted search and rescue operations around Geso and Ayan Geso in Maru LGA of Zamfara State and rescued seven kidnapped victims from Sabon Tunga and Binoni Villages in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.
On 2 November 2026, troops arrested two suspects who had participated in kidnapping and rustling at Sabon Gida Village in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
On 5 November 2026, troops and operatives of the Department of State Services apprehended a suspected terrorist who sneaked into a clinic in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State, to receive treatment for gunshot wounds sustained in a clash with a rival terrorist faction.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE maintained vigilance on the roads and communities in Plateau State to choke off the movement of terrorists.
On 4 November 2026, troops conducting stop-and-search operations at Kukawa Village in Kanam LGA and intercepted a suspected terrorist in possession of an AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect belongs to a terrorist syndicate led by one Kaura.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE intensified pressure on kidnappers and armed gangs in Benue, Kogi, and Taraba States.
On 2 November 2026, troops conducted a fighting patrol to a hideout within Edimogbo Forest and made contact with criminals who later fled into the forest.
The engagement led to the discovery of 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, seven bandoliers, six motorcycles and a mobile.
The hideout was subsequently destroyed. Troops conducted patrols to dominate the general area and this led to an engagement with 2 suspected kidnappers on 3 November 2026.
The suspects were neutralized and the following items were captured; two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and over 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
On 4 November 2026, troops exploited into Obele Forest, neutralised three kidnappers and captured four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and three bandoliers.
Similarly, on 4 November 2026, troops at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido LGA, Taraba State, responded to a distress call of a kidnapping, made contact with the terrorists and rescued six civilians, including a baby.
In related operations, on 1 November 2026, troops arrested a wanted member of the Konyo Boys bandit group at Ahmadu Village in Takum LGA of Taraba State.
The suspect subsequently led them to a hut where an AK-47 rifle and a mobile phone were recovered.
On 4 November 2026, a terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered to troops at Atsawa in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State, with an AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition and a radio, citing the troops’ continued offensive operations against camps in Agbaja and Kakanda forests.
The same day, troops at Jamata in Lokoja LGA arrested a logistics supplier who confessed to conveying supplies to terrorists loyal to the neutralised Kachallah Baccujo in Agbaja Forest.
On 5 November 2026, troops arrested a suspected gunrunner in Gboko LGA of Benue State.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD sustained offensive operations against terrorists and kidnappers in Kwara and Niger States. Following sustained patrols around Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora LGA of Niger State, troops made contact with bandits on 5 November 2026.
The engagement led to troops rescue of 15 kidnap victims and the capture of two AK-47 rifles, seven rifle magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles, the sum of ₦4,105,000 and ammunition.
On 4 November 2026, troops and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria ambushed Ansaru terrorists who stormed Nanu Village in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State, neutralising two of them.
Also, on 4 November 2026, troops at Gulbin Boka at Barbada in Dusai Ward, Mariga LGA of Niger State pursued fleeing kidnappers and arrested an injured suspect at Dusai Village.
He disclosed that three persons were involved in the kidnap attempt. The same day, troops on a fighting patrol in Lema-Ndeji Forest in Edu LGA of Kwara State and three kidnap victims who had escaped their captors.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
In the South East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against kidnappers and criminal elements in Abia and Anambra States.
On 4 November 2026, troops at Isuochi, following an attack by gunmen on a compound at Okwe Ubahu Nneato in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State rescued one of the kidnapped victims.
In Anambra State, troops searched a shop near the Marine Outpost at Otuocha in Anambra East LGA on 2 November 2026, where a suspect was believed to be concealing weapons used to intimidate members of the community.
The search led to the discovery and confiscation of a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges.
CONCLUSION
The operational momentum sustained during the week underscored the AFN’s commitment to safeguarding the nation and protecting its citizens.
At Buni Yadi and Bitta, troops successfully countered determined terrorist attacks and neutralized more than 50 terrorists.
In Kogi State, troops overran kidnappers’ hideouts in Edimogbo and Obele forests, capturing weapons and other items from the criminals’ enclaves.
Similarly, sustained operations in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States, as well as Abia and Anambra States, led to the rescue of several kidnapped victims, including a baby. In the North East, the continued surrender of terrorists and their families further indicates the impact of sustained military pressure on the terrorists.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, on behalf of the AFN, commends the courage, resilience and sacrifices of troops in the various theatres of operations.
He honours the memory of the officer and soldier who paid the supreme price in the line of duty, alongside the civilian hunter who lost his life in the course of supporting troops, assuring their families that their sacrifices will remain indelible in the nation’s memory.
He also wishes the wounded personnel a speedy and full recovery.
The CDS equally appreciates the contributions of other security agencies while emphasising the need for sustained collaboration, effective intelligence sharing and coordinated operational planning to consolidate the gains recorded.
Furthermore, the CDS acknowledges the media for its continued support through balanced and responsible reportage, which is essential when reporting sensitive security matters capable of undermining public confidence, heightening tension or compromising ongoing operations.
He also calls on traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen their partnership with security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.
Citizens are equally urged to deny criminals access to logistics and other forms of support, and to shun mob action, misinformation and the spread of disinformation.
He further reminds troops to remain vigilant, disciplined and combat-ready at all times, stressing that the adversary remains dangerous even when wounded or under pressure.
The AFN, therefore, remains resolute in its Constitutional responsibility and will sustain the current operational momentum, working in synergy with relevant stakeholders until lasting peace, security and stability are restored across the country.
