A Civil Society Organisation, the Coalition for National Security and Democratic Stability, has commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, over what it described as improved operational efficiency by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
- +Coalition hails military, defence chief over anti-terror operations
The group said the latest operational figures released by the Defence Headquarters showed renewed momentum in the military’s campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and organised crime across the country.
The group said the latest operational figures released by the Defence Headquarters showed renewed momentum in the military’s campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and organised crime across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the coalition’s president, Samuel Agada, said the achievements recorded in May 2026 reflected improved coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions.
According to figures released by the Defence Headquarters, troops operating across various theatres neutralised 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians during coordinated operations carried out nationwide in May.
The military also recovered several weapons, dismantled illegal arms factories and destroyed oil theft facilities in different parts of the country.
Reacting to the development, Agada said the operations demonstrated that the Armed Forces were steadily regaining operational dominance in troubled regions.
“These figures are not just statistics. They represent communities protected, lives saved, and criminal networks disrupted through the courage and professionalism of Nigerian troops.
“We commend the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for providing strategic leadership at a critical time when the country faces complex security threats across multiple fronts,” he said.
The coalition noted that operations conducted in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East reflected stronger intelligence gathering and improved inter-agency collaboration.
Agada particularly praised troops involved in operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the North-East, describing the rescue of abducted women and children as “a major humanitarian achievement.”
He also commended efforts to dismantle illegal arms manufacturing facilities and intercept logistics supplies allegedly used by criminal groups.
“The destruction of illegal arms factories and the disruption of supply chains show that the military is not only confronting attacks but also targeting the infrastructure sustaining insecurity,” he stated.
The coalition further applauded operations against crude oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta, saying the destruction of illegal refining sites and seizure of stolen petroleum products would help protect national economic interests.
Agada urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible information, stressing that national security remained a collective responsibility.
“The success of these operations also reminds us that national security is a collective responsibility. Citizens must continue to cooperate with security agencies by sharing timely and credible information,” he said.
He added that although insecurity remained a major challenge, sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations could significantly weaken criminal networks threatening peace and stability across the country.
