Coalition Lauds Military, Defence Chief Over Anti-Terror Operations

A civil society group has praised the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for what it called a marked improvement in the operational performance of the Nigerian Armed Forces against terrorism and criminal networks.

The Coalition for National Security and Democratic Stability said data from the Defence Headquarters for May 2026 showed a significant upturn in military campaigns across the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the group’s president, Samuel Agada, disclosed that troops neutralised 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians during coordinated operations nationwide within the month.

The military also recovered a cache of weapons, dismantled illegal arms production sites and destroyed facilities used for crude oil theft in several locations.

Agada said the figures reflected not just numerical success but the protection of communities and the disruption of criminal supply chains.

He credited the Chief of Defence Staff with providing strategic leadership at a time the nation faces complex security threats on multiple fronts.

“The achievements are a testament to the courage and professionalism of our troops. The operations demonstrate that the military is steadily regaining operational dominance in troubled areas,” he said.

The coalition noted that missions conducted in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East showcased stronger intelligence gathering and improved inter-agency collaboration.

Agada highlighted the rescue of abducted women and children during offensives against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the North-East, describing it as a major humanitarian accomplishment.

He also commended the dismantling of illegal arms factories and the interception of logistics supplies meant for criminal groups, stating that the military was targeting not only attacks but the infrastructure that sustains insecurity.

The group further applauded operations against oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta, saying the destruction of illegal refining sites and the seizure of stolen petroleum products would help safeguard the nation’s economic interests.

Agada urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible information, stressing that national security remains a shared duty.

He expressed optimism that sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations could significantly weaken the criminal networks threatening peace and stability across the country.