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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said ongoing counter-insurgency and other internal security operations across the country have continued to record significant successes, including the arrest of suspected spies working for Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal groups.
The operations have also led to the arrest of suspected logistics suppliers, oil thieves, foreign illegal miners, kidnappers, and other criminals.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed this, said the soldiers, through well-coordinated joint operations, enhanced intelligence-driven missions, and sustained inter-agency collaboration, maintained operational dominance over terrorists, insurgents, and other criminal elements. This resulted in the neutralisation, arrest, and disruption of multiple threats, as well as the recovery and destruction of arms, ammunition, and illicit logistics networks.
Gen. Onoja, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the operations were carried out under Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Savannah Shield through enhanced intelligence-led activities.
He said among those arrested was a suspected terrorist informant in Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, linked to a previous attack in Ngoshe, Borno State.
According to the statement, between March 3 and 4, 2026, ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgents reportedly launched a major attack on Ngoshe, killing several persons, abducting over 100 women and children, and destroying facilities.
On March 23, Gen. Onoja said troops arrested two suspected terrorist informants at Kaffa Bridge in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, recovering two bicycles, charms, and cash, while another suspected logistics supplier was apprehended in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.
“On March 25, troops arrested another suspected terrorist logistics supplier at Kadau Village in Kaga LGA of Borno State and recovered motorcycle spare parts, including brake liners, carburettors, spark plugs, cable wires, clutch handles, and other items suspected to be meant for terrorist mobility.
“The following day, troops recovered another AK-47 rifle in Maiduguri after a suspect fled, while a suspected terrorist informant was arrested in Shauri, Kaga LGA, in a joint operation with the Civilian Joint Task Force,” he said.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Savannah Shield intensified counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across Kwara and Niger states.
On March 22, terrorists attacked the Ora-Ago community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting nine worshippers during a church service.
Troops, in collaboration with local vigilantes and forest guards, rescued three victims, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
On the same date, troops arrested a suspect conveying explosives and improvised explosive device materials along the Wawa–Dabar Woko Road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The suspect claimed the items were intended for mining activities.
On March 26, troops uncovered an illegal mining processing site at Luma Village in Borgu LGA of Niger State and arrested seven illegal miners, including four foreign nationals from the Niger Republic.
According to the military, all suspects were moved to the Wawa Cantonment for further investigation.
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Troops also confirmed that a bridge along the Wawa–Luma Road in the same area was destroyed by terrorists in an attempt to disrupt resupply routes.
Further operations on March 23 led to the arrest of six suspected terrorists during a stop-and-search operation at Oke Onigbin in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, with troops recovering a locally made pistol, ammunition, cutlasses, and charms.
Onoja said troops later discovered an improvised explosive device along the Wawa–Babanna Road in Borgu LGA of Niger State on March 25. The device was successfully detonated by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team before troops continued offensive operations in the area.
The arrests come amid intensified military offensives targeting terrorist networks, logistics suppliers, and criminal elements operating across the North-East and North-Central regions.
In the South-South region, Gen. Onoja said, “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 Niger Delta region and adjoining states.
“On 22 March 2026, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at the Fertiliser area in Etsako East LGA of Edo State, with the suspect currently in custody for further investigation. On 23 March 2026, troops discovered an illegal refining site at Abessa Forest in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State and recovered equipment, including one large drum oven, one receiver, one reservoir containing approximately 1,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 500 metres of galvanised pipes, and 150 metres of hose.
“On the same date, troops intercepted a tricycle at Ndoni Junction in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State conveying approximately 600 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum product, apprehended the rider, and handled the exhibits in line with operational directives.
“Sustained operations on 24 March 2026 led to the arrest of one suspect at Ekukulena Community in Ikom LGA of Cross River State in possession of a locally made pistol concealed in a bag. Additional anti-illegal oil bunkering operations at Okarki Forest in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State resulted in the deactivation of one illegal refinery site and the recovery of about 125 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“On the same date, troops intercepted a black Lexus GX470 SUV along the Bonny–Bodo Road in Bonny LGA of Rivers State carrying 58 sacks containing approximately 1,500 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“On 25 March 2026, troops conducted anti-illegal oil bunkering operations in Orashi National Forest in Abua/Odual LGA of Rivers State, where equipment, including two large drum ovens, one large coolant, galvanised pipes, a hose, and a waste pit, was discovered and handled appropriately.
“On 26 March 2026, troops on patrol at Eghonk Forest in Agbede, Etsako West LGA of Edo State, arrested one suspected kidnapper, who was subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.”
In the South-East, he said, “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), sustaining pressure on their operational capabilities across the region.
“On 22 March 2026, troops conducted clearance operations in Orsumoghu extending towards the Badanya axis in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, during which five improvised explosive devices were encountered and successfully detonated.
“On 23 March 2026, troops conducted a snap checkpoint at Ekukulena Community in Ikom LGA of Cross River State, arresting one suspected criminal in possession of a locally made pistol and a mobile phone, with efforts ongoing to apprehend his associate.
“On the same date, troops deployed at Egbema West carried out anti-illegal oil bunkering operations in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State, where one major illegal refining site was discovered and destroyed. Items destroyed included 35 cooking drums, eight reservoirs containing about 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO/DPK, 75 sacks containing about 5,000 litres of siphoned crude, and 225 sacks containing about 13,000 litres of illegally refined AGO/DPK, bringing the total volume to approximately 23,000 litres.”
