The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says it has continued to record significant operational successes across all operational theatres throughout the week. In sustained and coordinated operations spanning all geopolitical zones, troops conducted kinetic engagements, foiled terrorist attacks, neutralised armed criminals, rescued kidnapped citizens, dismantled illegal refinery sites, and recovered a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition, and illicit materials.
Major General, Micheal Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations who gave a breakdown of the successes in a press statement on 10 April 2026 said troops neutralize a total of 40 terrorists and rescue over 20 kidnapped hostages in one week.
General Onoja further announce the supreme sacrifice paid by gallant officers and soldiers of the armed forces at Benisheikh in Kaga local government area of Borno State , to involve the death of Brigade Commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, whose conspicuous bravery, personal leadership under fire, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of his troops reflect the highest ideals and traditions of the Nigerian military.
"With profound grief and heavy hearts, the Defence Headquarters formally conveys the supreme sacrifice paid by gallant officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria at Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. In the course of an intense engagement against terrorist elements, two officers and two soldiers were killed in action, making the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its citizens."
"Among those involved in this fierce encounter was the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General O.O. Braimah, whose conspicuous bravery, personal leadership under fire, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of his troops reflect the highest ideals and traditions of the Nigerian military. The AFN mourns deeply with the families, loved ones, and colleagues of these fallen heroes. Their courage will forever be etched in the history of the AFN."
He said ,"To the families of the fallen, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi, Olatunbosun Oluyede and the entire AFN stand with you in this moment of deep sorrow. Your loved ones were not ordinary citizens, they were extraordinary Nigerians who chose to stand between danger and the rest of the nation. Nigerians are further assured that the loss of these heroes will not diminish but rather fortify the resolve of the Armed Forces. Operations across all theatres will continue with even greater determination as a lasting tribute to the memory of those who have fallen."
Find details Of Operational Successes Below:
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
2. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained aggressive and unrelenting kinetic campaign against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorist elements through coordinated operations across Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, and Gombe States. Troops significantly curtailed the terrorists' freedom of movement while disrupting critical logistical lifelines through seamless collaboration with other security agencies supporting ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. On 4 April 2026, troops observed the movement of terrorists towards Dikwa town through Mallam Maja Village in Dikwa LGA of Borno State.
Mortar and artillery fire were swiftly employed to disrupt the terrorists' advance and subsequently disperse them. The terrorists reconverged but were again interdicted with sustained mortar and artillery fire, forcing them to abandon their mission and withdraw. On 6 April 2026, an ambush team made contact with terrorist logistics elements around Zubulum Village in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Troops engaged the terrorists and neutralised one, while others fled in disarray. Exploitation of the general area led to the recovery of 350 empty cases of 7.62mm Special ammunitions, one bag of salt, two microphones, and eight pieces of clothing mats.
3. On 6 April 2026, a suspect identified as Mr. Fidelis Thomas from Gbato Village in Wukari LGA of Taraba State, was apprehended at Rafin Kada by community youths following human intelligence from the Tiv community indicating his involvement in terrorising locals along the Rafin Kada–Wukari Road. The suspect was subsequently handed over to troops deployed at Rafin Kada. On 9 April 2026, troops deployed in Benisheikh in Kaga LGA of Borno State came under terrorists’ attack. Troops engaged the terrorists and held their ground. Regrettably, some personnel paid the supreme price; including the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General OO Braimah and 3 other Armed Forces personnel.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
4. Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA continued to deliver decisive and precise strikes against terrorists operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, systematically dismantling terrorist logistics networks while safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure from violent attacks and criminal activities.
On 3 April 2026, troops on patrol at a Forward Operating Base in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State arrested a suspected terrorist, one Bashir Ahmed Bade from Tungan Haki Village. Items recovered from the suspect included one AK-47 rifle loaded with a magazine containing 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. The suspect is in custody for further action.
On 5 April 2026, troops at a Forward Operating Base in Matazu LGA of Katsina State responded to a distress call regarding terrorist activities at Matazu and Sayaya Villages, establishing contact with the terrorists and forcing them to withdraw. The terrorists subsequently moved to Sayaya Village, where they set ablaze one Comprehensive Health Centre and two vehicles. Reinforcement troops mobilised to Sayaya Village and engaged the terrorists, who later fled.
The Executive Governor Dr. Umar Dikko Radda, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and commended troops for their timely and professional response, which prevented further escalation. Same day, troops received information about a terrorist attack on an ECWA Church at Ariko Village in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.
Troops pursued the fleeing terrorists on guidance from church members and rescued 31 hostages. On 6 April 2026, troops while returning from an on-the-spot assessment of combat patrol group deployments in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, came in contact with fleeing terrorists at Maitashi Village within the same LGA. Troops engaged the terrorists, neutralising one, and recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with a magazine of 12 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one motorcycle.
5. On 8 April 2026, troops arrested one Mallam Kabiru, a suspected terrorist collaborator who was reportedly sighted in the company of a known terrorist kingpin identified as Mallam Ado Alero shortly after an encounter with troops at Kulchin Kalgo in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State on 5 April 2026. The suspect is in custody undergoing preliminary interrogation.
On 8 April 2026, troops received a distress call that terrorists had invaded and abducted an unconfirmed number of locals at Gidan Madi Village in Wurno LGA of Sokoto State. Troops mobilised, laid ambush at a known terrorist crossing point within the same LGA, made contact with the terrorists, and forced them to abandon their victims and withdraw. A total of 18 locals, including two infants, were rescued. The rescued persons were subsequently handed over to the Traditional Ruler of Wurno.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
6. Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE sustained operations across Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States, maintaining a strong operational presence in vulnerable communities and key transit corridors. On 3 April 2026, troops conducted operations around the Kerem area in Wase LGA of Plateau State.
Three terrorists were neutralised in the ensuing engagement while others fled. Same day, troops in Vandeikya LGA of Benue State responded to information about suspected terrorists at Mbayongo, apprehending one suspected terrorist associate disguised with a hijab. After initial interrogation, the suspect led troops to the hideout, where contact was made with the terrorists who fled. A second suspect was arrested and two AK-47 magazines were recovered. Suspects and recovered items are in custody for further investigation.
On 4 April 2026, troops in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State intercepted and rescued one kidnapped victim, identified as Saheed Sule, who had escaped from his abductors. The victim was reportedly kidnapped on 1 April 2026 at Akata Odo-Ere in the same LGA and was subsequently reunited with his family. On 4 April 2026, troops at a blocking position conducted an ambush at a known terrorist crossing point along the Tunga–Atsawa Road in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State, engaging and neutralising one terrorist on a motorcycle.
Items recovered included one motorcycle and cash of N50,000.00. Similarly, troops established contact with terrorists along the Babangida–Adua Road. Two terrorists were neutralised while others fled. Items recovered included one locally made gun and caches of ammunition of different calibers. On 5 April 2026, troops responded to a report about the movement and possession of arms by terrorists in Qua'an Pan LGA of Plateau State, intercepting four suspected terrorists in possession of 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Troops subsequently made efforts to locate and arrest other members of the syndicate from their enclave but came under attack in the process, and three of the four terrorists were neutralised.
7. On 8 April 2026, troops responded to isolated terrorist attacks along the Razat/Kafi Abu Road in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, foiled the attack and conducted a cordon-and-search operation in the area. Items recovered included two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines, and some rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspected terrorists.
On 9 April 2026, troops in conjunction with vigilantes established contact with terrorists between Dutsen Zaki and Odare Forest in Wase LGA of Plateau State, neutralized 10 terrorists while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with three rounds of 7.62mm Special, two motorcycles, and five 25-litre jerrycans of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS). Same day, troops sustained offensives to Dogon Ruwa, Bogwas, and other terrorist camps at Daji Madam Forest.
Troops made contact with terrorists and destroyed several camps including Auta Kachalla's Camp. A total of 21 kidnapped victims were rescued, several terrorist motorcycles were destroyed, and items recovered included one G3 rifle, four magazines, three generating sets, and one solar panel. On 8 April 2026, troops apprehended one Mr. Ahambee Iondu, suspected to be the mastermind behind killings at Agbechichia Village and cattle rustling activities at Marinde Village in the same LGA. The suspect is in custody for further investigation.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
8. Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD continued to intensify counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across Kwara and Niger States, extending operational presence into forested corridors and border communities known to harbour criminal and terrorist elements. On 4 April 2026, troops at a patrol base in Pategi LGA of Kwara State came under attack by terrorists.
Troops successfully repelled the attack with no casualties. Items recovered included four AK-47 magazines, 15 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one power bank, three pairs of shoes, and one waist belt. The situation is under control and troops have been placed on red alert to forestall further attempts.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
9. Troops of Operation UDO KA continued to target criminal elements associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), across the South-East states. On 3 April 2026, following the arrest of a suspected IPOB/ESN informant and courier, troops recovered four IEDs at Umuchima Forest in Isialangwa North LGA of Abia State, based on the suspect's confession.
The IEDs were subsequently detonated accordingly. On 5 April 2026, troops at a checkpoint in Awka LGA of Anambra State arrested one Mr. Solomon John, found in possession of 75 live cartridges concealed in his bag. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed the consignment was given to him by a friend identified only as 'Manager'. The suspect is in custody while efforts are ongoing to identify the source of the consignment. Also, on 6 April 2026, troops in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services conducted an operation against the camp of a notorious terrorist kingpin known as 'Aluta' in Egbema West LGA of Imo State.
Troops made contact, engaged the terrorists, and forced them to withdraw. One terrorist was neutralised and another was arrested with a gunshot wound and is currently in custody. Items recovered from the camp included one laptop and two radios. The camp was subsequently destroyed.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
10. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE continued to intensify security operations aimed at combating criminality, protecting critical national infrastructure, and denying criminal elements freedom of action within the South-South region. On 2 April 2026, troops conducted an operation on suspected petroleum theft activities around the Eleme Pipeline in Okrika LGA of Rivers State. The suspect fled the scene and troops recovered one Mitsubishi vehicle containing approximately 900 litres of illegally siphoned PMS concealed in three drums. The recovered items are in custody for further action.
On 4 April 2026, troops conducted an anti-illegal oil bunkering operation at Orashi National Forest in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State, discovering one long galvanised pipe of approximately 500 metres, two hoses of approximately 50 metres each, and a large reservoir containing approximately 5,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.
11. On 7 April 2026, troops conducted an exploitation operation at Ogidigben Community in Warri South West LGA of Delta State, arresting two suspects and recovering four AK-47 rifles, six magazines, 106 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, two knives, 10 machetes. Suspects and recovered weapons are in custody for further action. On 8 April 2026, troops responded to a kidnap incident at Ubulu-Uku area in Aniocha South LGA of Delta State, troops mades contact with the kidnappers, neutralised one, while several kidnappers were severely wounded.
Two kidnapped victims were rescued from the scene. Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two mobile phones, one NIN identity card, one USB cable, and cash of N4,599,000.00 recovered as part of ransom paid. Recovered items were handed over to the NPF Anti-Kidnap Team in Aniocha for further investigation
God bless the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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