Military says 77 militants killed as operations intensify across Nigeria

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Defence Headquarters says at least 77 militants were killed in a series of operations conducted across several parts of the country between 28 February and 6 March 2026.

According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria carried out coordinated land and air operations targeting insurgents, kidnappers and other armed groups. He said air strikes during operations in Sambisa Forest killed several senior insurgent figures, including Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago, Ba Alayi Benbem, and Hussaini Ubaida, along with dozens of other fighters.

In the north-central region, troops under Operation Savannah Shield killed more than 17 militants during a firefight in the Roguwa Forest in Niger State after acting on intelligence from local communities. Soldiers also intercepted a vehicle in Kwara State carrying eight bags of ammonium chloride, a chemical used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices, and arrested the driver.

Other operations led to arrests and weapons recoveries across different regions. Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the north-west arrested suspects and seized rifles, magazines and more than 500 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag of rice. In Kogi State, soldiers under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested 12 suspected militants and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and cash, while operations targeting camps linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in the south-east led to further arrests and weapons seizures.

The military also said troops under OperationDelta Safe destroyed illegal oil refining sites in Rivers State and recovered about 50,970 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products during anti-bunkering operations. Major General Onoja said the operations were part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian military, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, to tackle insurgency, kidnapping and oil theft across the country.