Military Troops Arrest Terrorist Collaborators, Recovers Heavy Weapons in Nationwide Operations
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded significant operational successes across multiple theatres of operation, arresting suspected terrorist collaborators, informants and logistics suppliers while recovering a cache of heavy weapons and ammunition in coordinated operations nationwide.
The military said the operations, conducted between June 4 and June 11, 2026, targeted terrorists, kidnappers, arms traffickers, oil thieves and other criminal elements threatening peace and security across the country.
A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, on Tuesday, said troops operating under various joint task forces recorded breakthroughs in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East regions.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified efforts against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists, arresting several suspected informants and logistics suppliers in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The military disclosed that suspects were apprehended with items including agro-allied chemicals, communication equipment, narcotics, food supplies and other materials allegedly intended for terrorist groups.
Troops also recovered a PKT machine gun, more than 1,070 rounds of ammunition, motorcycles and other combat equipment during clearance and exploitation operations.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intercepted an alleged arms trafficking network in Zamfara State, recovering over 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed in a sack of millet. The suspected arms dealer and the intended recipient were subsequently arrested.
Additional operations in Zamfara led to the arrest of eight suspected terrorists and the recovery of communication radios, mobile phones, power banks, camouflage uniforms, motorcycles and other logistics materials.
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Similarly, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in Niger State arrested several suspected terrorist informants and recovered mobile devices containing materials believed to be linked to extremist activities.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE disrupted kidnapping networks through a series of search-and-rescue operations and arrests of suspected informants and kidnappers.
The operations led to the rescue of abducted passengers and the recovery of firearms, communication devices and cash suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE operating in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states recovered arms and ammunition from fleeing criminals, rescued kidnap victims and arrested a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
One of the most significant recoveries was recorded in the South-East, where troops of Operation UDO KA, working alongside operatives of the Department of State Services, uncovered an arms cache linked to suspected IPOB and Eastern Security Network members in Enugu State.
Recovered items included a General Purpose Machine Gun, an RPG-7 launcher tube, multiple AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other military-grade equipment.
Troops also recovered additional AK-47 rifles, magazines and suspected IPOB uniforms during follow-up operations at another hideout in the state.
In the South-South region, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained pressure on illegal oil bunkering networks, uncovering illicit refining sites and recovering stolen petroleum products in Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
The Defence Headquarters said the successes demonstrated the effectiveness of ongoing military operations and intelligence-driven missions aimed at dismantling criminal and terrorist networks across the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, resilience and dedication, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces would remain relentless in protecting lives, property and the nation’s territorial integrity.
By PRNigeria
