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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) sustained successes reflect the combat effectiveness, operational readiness, and high morale of the troops across all geopolitical zones to guarantee the safety of all Nigerians.
In a press statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja, it noted that sustained coordinated operations conducted between 28 May and 4 June 2026, deploying strategic assets, joint land patrols, and close air support, troops degraded the technical and operational capacities of insurgent groups, kidnapping rings, economic saboteurs, and cross-border weapon traffickers.
According to the statement, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded a series of high-impact security operations across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and part of Bauchi States. On 30 May 2026, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Biu Town in the Biu Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. The suspect confessed to having received two AK-47 rifles from terrorists neutralised at Buratai Forest in January 2026 and admitted to using them for kidnapping, cattle rustling, and criminal activities across Askira Uba, Biu, Chibok, Gombe, and Mbalala areas.
“Items recovered from the suspect included smartphones, wristwatches, ATM cards, and assorted personal effects. On the same date, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator identified as Alhaji Kurna at Hausari, Damasak Central Ward in Gubio LGA of Borno State.”
On 31 May 2026, the statement reads, “Troops on routine patrol encountered one Ahmad Sheriff and two of his children between Kukawa and Cross Kauwa in Kukawa LGA of Borno State. He claimed that he and sixteen others escaped from a Boko Haram/ISWAP camp around Kangarwa, intending to surrender to troops, but were dispersed by terrorists before reaching Kukawa.”
Recovered items included 43 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a solar panel, and a mobile phone.
On 1 June 2026, a fighting patrol in Jemmu village and adjoining settlements in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, made contact with a lone terrorist scout who fled towards the Alagarno general area; one AK-47 magazine and three rounds of ammunition were recovered.
On the same date, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant along the Buni Yadi–Buni Gari Road in Gujba LGA of Yobe State, as well as a suspected terrorist collaborator apprehended during a tactical drone operation at Kwatan Yobe in Kukawa LGA of Borno State.
Between 1 and 4 June 2026, troops sustained momentum with additional arrests and rescues across the theatre. On 1 June 2026, troops arrested 2 suspected terrorist elements at Garkida in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, with one suspect confessing to participation in the terrorist attacks in Mussa and Leho villages, both in Askira Uba LGA of Borno State, and another confessing to an attack at Tellabala in Adamawa State.
While 0n 2 June 2026, a suspected terrorist family member escaped from the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza LGA of Borno State and surrendered to troops, confessing to sustained military pressure and deprivation as her reason for escaping.
On the same date, troops and DSS personnel arrested 4 suspected terrorist informants along the Maiduguri–Bauchi Road in Darazo LGA of Bauchi State. On 4 June 2026, a fighting patrol to Wulgo in Ngala LGA of Borno State resulted in the neutralisation of one terrorist, with additional evidence of terrorist support infrastructure uncovered.
Also on 4 June 2026, troops rescued 2 escapees from the Saha terrorist enclave in Gwoza LGA and subsequently reunited them with family members at the Pulka Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp. Three additional female escapees surrendered to troops from the Mandara Mountains on the same date. Troops also arrested 2 suspected terrorist informants at Goniri in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
Meanwhile, the DHQ disclosed that Joint Task Force North West Operation Fansan Yamma continues its operational manoeuvres across the North West Theatre, where it neutralised several terrorists and restricted their mobility.
The statement revealed that, “On 28 May 2026, troops responded to a distress call regarding terrorist activities on the outskirts of Ruwan Godiya village in Faskari LGA of Katsina State, establishing immediate contact, neutralising two terrorists, and recovered an abandoned motorcycle and 12 rounds of live ammunition.
On 3 June 2026, troops in the Zurmi area and Dorayi village in Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara State engaged a terrorist group, which resulted in the neutralisation of one bandit and the destruction of their makeshift camp and life-support facilities
Further operations completely halted criminal activities targeted at local communities. On 3 June 2026, troops stationed at Jangeme thwarted an attempted abduction of rural farmers along the Ruwan Kunku axis in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State, forcing the criminals to retreat and leave behind an AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine. On 4 June 2026, troops patrolling Makarfi town in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State apprehended a suspected terrorist informant who was unable to account for his clandestine movements in the area. The same day, troops raided the Shinkafi weekly market in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State, where they arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin who had been hiding among local traders.
