Nigeria’s military report gains across multiple theatres amid ongoing counter-Insurgency operations

Amid persistent public criticism of Nigeria’s security situation, new field reports highlight sustained military operations and what officials describe as significant progress against armed groups across several regions of the country.

While some citizens and commentators continue to point to incidents such as kidnappings, improvised explosive attacks, and communal violence as evidence of worsening insecurity, government sources and security correspondents argue that such narratives often overlook ongoing counter-operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

One of the most frequently cited sources of field updates is journalist Zagazola Makama, who provides daily situational reports from multiple conflict zones. His recent dispatches, alongside official military briefings, indicate intensified counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations targeting Boko Haram, ISWAP, armed militias, kidnappers, and criminal networks involved in cattle rustling and oil theft.

Rescue operations and arrests in central Nigeria

In Benue State, troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke Sub-Sector 1B rescued 13 passengers abducted from a Benue Links bus traveling from Makurdi to Otukpo. The victims had been taken earlier in a forested area in Ohimini Local Government Area following an attack that initially saw 17 passengers seized, including students preparing for national examinations.

Security sources later clarified that the attackers were local criminal groups, countering earlier speculation of external involvement. The rescued passengers, some of whom sustained injuries, were evacuated to a hospital in Otukpo. Governor Hyacinth Alia subsequently met with survivors and urged examination authorities to consider rescheduling their exams due to trauma.

Plateau State: gun battles, arrests, and communal violence

In Plateau State, troops under Operation Enduring Peace conducted multiple interventions across violent flashpoints. In one incident along the Kpashio–Ansa Road in Bassa Local Government Area, troops responded to gunfire and evacuated three victims of an armed attack. One person died while two survived.

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Elsewhere, security forces arrested two suspects in Jos North, including one accused of stabbing a police inspector and another found in possession of ammunition near a correctional facility.

Troops also reported the arrest of nine suspected militia members in Riyom Local Government Area. Weapons recovered included firearms, ammunition, and motorcycles. The suspects are alleged to be linked to a series of recent violent incidents in the area.

Authorities also reported cattle-related tensions, including alleged poisoning of livestock in Barkin Ladi, an incident officials warn could escalate communal reprisals.

In Borno State, troops of Operation Hadin Kai reportedly neutralised two insurgents during a failed Boko Haram/ISWAP attack along the Kirawa–Pulka axis. Military sources said others fled the scene, leaving behind communication equipment.

In another operation, troops intercepted and arrested logistics suppliers linked to ISWAP in Yobe State. Security forces also repelled an attempted attack on military positions in Benisheikh, forcing insurgents to retreat after a firefight.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams also discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device along the Gajiram axis, highlighting ongoing risks along key civilian routes.

In Sokoto State, troops of the 8 Division repelled an early morning attack by suspected terrorists in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, forcing armed assailants to withdraw after a gun battle. Several civilians were injured and evacuated for treatment.

In Kogi State, troops destroyed a suspected terrorist camp in Yagba West following intelligence reports. A logistics courier linked to the site fled on sighting security forces, abandoning supplies.

In Edo State, troops of the 195 Battalion foiled a kidnapping attempt in Jattu, rescuing victims after they reportedly disarmed one of the abductors. Five suspects were later arrested and transferred to the Department of State Services.

In Imo State, a joint security operation involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, and Civil Defence discovered and safely detonated improvised explosive devices during patrols in Orsu Local Government Area.

Across multiple theatres, military officials maintain that sustained patrols, raids, and intelligence-led operations are gradually weakening armed groups despite continued incidents of violence.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, recently reiterated the importance of international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts while speaking at a high-level panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye.

Presidential aides argue that while insecurity remains a serious challenge, the scope and frequency of ongoing military operations demonstrate continuous engagement by security forces, many of whom, they note, operate under difficult and high-risk conditions.

Supporters of the government’s position say these developments are often overshadowed by public focus on isolated attacks, while security agencies continue to face complex asymmetric threats across multiple regions simultaneously.