Defence HQ Reports Over 160 Terrorists, Bandits Killed in Nationwide Operations Aug 2-12

Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj. Gen. Onoja briefed on August 16, 2026 that coordinated military operations — including Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Savannah Shield, Operation Sentinel, and Operation Udoka — killed more than 160 terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements across the North-West, North-Central, North-East, and parts of the South during the August 2-12 period. Operations spanned Adamawa, Borno, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kano in the north, Kogi, Benue, Niger, and Kwara in the north-central belt, plus anti-crude-oil-theft interdictions in Rivers State and operations in Enugu. The military reported rescuing 16 kidnap victims in Kogi and 9 in Niger State, arresting suspected terrorist logistics collaborators, and recovering weapons and ammunition, describing the tempo as sustained pressure on insurgent, bandit, and kidnapping networks nationwide.