Coalition Hails Military, Defence Chief Over Anti-Terror Operations

A civil society group, the Coalition for National Security and Democratic Stability, has praised the Nigerian Armed Forces and Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, over recent anti-terror and anti-crime operations across the country.

The coalition said operational figures released by the Defence Headquarters for May 2026 showed improved military coordination and renewed momentum against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and organised crime nationwide.

According to the military, troops neutralised 317 terrorists and criminal suspects, arrested 314 individuals and rescued 221 kidnapped victims during coordinated operations across several regions. Security forces also recovered weapons, dismantled illegal arms factories and destroyed oil theft facilities.

Coalition president Samuel Agada said the operations reflected stronger intelligence sharing and improved collaboration among the armed forces and security agencies.

Agada commended military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the North-East, especially the rescue of abducted women and children, describing it as a major humanitarian achievement.

He also praised efforts to dismantle illegal arms production sites and disrupt criminal supply chains, saying the military was targeting not only attackers but also the infrastructure sustaining insecurity.

The coalition further applauded operations against crude oil theft syndicates in the Niger Delta, noting that the destruction of illegal refining sites and seizure of stolen petroleum products would help protect Nigeria’s economy.

Agada urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that national security remained a collective responsibility.