Chronological field survey of military operations, territorial engagements, and acquisitions across Nigeria. Browse by conflict phase, actor, or category. Every record carries an Admiralty grade and resolves to a named source.
JNIM spillover, ISSP/Lakurawa rise — operational baseline
Security operatives in Benue State engaged an armed kidnapping syndicate in a firefight along the Ankpenchi-Ogobia axis in Ohimini LGA, safely rescuing 8 abducted hostages after one captive was fatally wounded.
Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army conducting aggressive counter-banditry clearing sweeps in Niger State neutralized armed bandits during a fierce exchange of gunfire and successfully rescued 22 abducted civilians.
Troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gajiram apprehended a suspected ISWAP terrorist spy during aggressive motorized patrol along the Maiduguri–Monguno supply route in Nganzai LGA, Borno State. Reconnaissance footage and surveillance materials were recovered.
Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Northwest Operation FANSAN YAMMA executed a swift counter-banditry combat operation against armed terrorists in Katsina State, neutralizing hostile elements and successfully rescuing 10 kidnapped civilians.
Special reconnaissance elements of Operation Hadin Kai arrested a 22-year-old insurgent logistics supplier accused of procuring electronics, food supplies, and mechanical equipment for terrorist redoubts in the Sambisa forest corridor.
Troops of Sector 8 Operation Safe Haven intercepted and repelled heavily armed militia herders attempting to invade and destroy communal farmlands in Plateau State, seizing abandoned logistics equipment.
Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) engaged an armed kidnapping syndicate in a firefight at Angwan B, neutralizing one armed suspect and recovering a locally fabricated military-grade firearm and ammunition.
Troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion operating under Operation Hadin Kai intercepted and secured safe extraction for a woman and her daughter who escaped from an insurgent redoubt in the rugged Mandara Mountains of Gwoza LGA, Borno State.
Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army apprehended two armed suspects following an armed assault on agrarian communities in Kogi State, recovering weapons and tactical knives.
Troops of Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai repelled an ISWAP/JAS terrorist ambush along the Bama-Gwoza axis in Borno State, neutralizing multiple insurgents and destroying two makeshift logistics transit camps.
Armed assailants attacked Kadun community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, resulting in the death of one civilian. Troops of Sector 8 Operation SAFE HAVEN deployed immediately to track down the assailants.
Naval patrol detachments operating under Operation Delta Sanity uncovered and dismantled active illegal artisanal refining hubs along creeks in the Western Naval Command area of operations, recovering approximately 99,000 litres of stolen and illegally refined products.
Two fighters belonging to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) abandoned their enclave in the Lake Chad basin and surrendered weapons and equipment to troops of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force / Operation Hadin Kai in Monguno LGA, Borno State.
Vigilant troops of Operation Hadin Kai on perimeter security intercepted an insurgent suicide bomber attempting to penetrate a busy weekly market in Pulka, Gwoza LGA, Borno State. The bomber was neutralized at safe distance, preventing catastrophic civilian casualties.
A joint detachment of Nigerian Army, NPF Tactical Squad, and National Park Rangers executed a sweep operation in Borgu LGA, Niger State, clearing illegal logistics camps set up by migrating bandit syndicates and neutralizing four armed elements.
Joint intelligence teams intercepted a disguised commercial truck along the outskirts of Gusau, Zamfara State, confiscating 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and RPG propellant boosters meant for bandit syndicates in Dansadau forest.
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma stormed an active hostage detention camp located near the Rugu forest boundary in Batsari LGA, Katsina State, rescuing 15 villagers including women and children after neutralizing three bandit guards.
In a targeted ambush based on signals intelligence, 1 Division Nigerian Army troops eliminated a notorious bandit leader known as 'Kachalla' and three lieutenants along the Birnin Gwari highway, recovering a heavy machine gun and encrypted walkie-talkies.
Armed operatives belonging to the Lakurawa extremist group attempted to herd hundreds of rustled cattle toward the Niger border in Tangaza LGA, Sokoto State. Joint security units ambushed the convoy in Gongono hills, neutralizing six militants and securing the herds.
Armed herder militia launching a riverine assault on farming communities in Agatu LGA, Benue State were engaged by amphibious patrols of Operation Whirl Stroke. Four attackers were neutralized and motorized assault boats seized.
Combat teams of Operation Hadin Kai advancing through Alagarno forest into Damboa LGA, Borno State demolished an underground food and ammunition storage depot used by ISWAP militants. Six insurgents defending the cache were neutralized.
Troops of 223 Battalion alongside Kebbi State security vigilantes combed dense ravines along the Zuru-Danko Wasagu border, destroying three makeshift camps and killing five armed bandits.
Over 50 bandits mounted on motorcycles attacked mining workers at Bagega, Anka LGA, Zamfara State. Troops stationed at a forward operating base engaged the attackers with support from armed vigilantes, neutralizing eight bandits and liberating 18 abducted miners.
Bandits opened fire on passenger buses along the Katsina-Zamfara highway near Yankara, Faskari LGA. A Nigerian Army quick reaction force deployed immediately, engaging the bandits, killing four, and escorting vehicles safely through.
Sector 4 troops of Operation Safe Haven intercepted a group of armed youth assembling for a reprisal raid in Fan district, Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State. Three rifles were seized and the crowd dispersed without civilian casualties.
Air interdiction strikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force neutralized a convoy of over 30 armed bandits attempting to cross the Kaduna River into Shiroro LGA, Niger State. Ground troops later confirmed over 12 bandits killed and sunken watercraft.
Acting on surveillance intelligence, troops raided an illicit fuel and communications supply hub feeding bandit camps in Maradun LGA, Zamfara State. Four collaborators were arrested and two armed lookouts killed.
Soldiers deployed to the Gada border area in Sokoto State confronted a mounted detachment of Lakurawa fighters demanding zakat levies from pastoralist communities. Five militants were neutralized and their motorcycles burned.
Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army tracking kidnappers who abducted agricultural workers in Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State caught up with the bandits in Maro forest. Following an intense firefight, all 11 farm workers were rescued safely.
Naval troops of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) intercepted three motorized canoes laden with food, fuel, and medical items destined for ISWAP island redoubts in Kukawa LGA, Borno State. Five insurgents were killed during the interception.
Ground forces operating in Safana LGA, Katsina State breached an entrenched bandit staging area in Illela forest. Three bandits were neutralized while troops destroyed logistics bunkers storing stolen grain and fuel reserves.
ISWAP second-in-command killed near Metele in a joint US-Nigeria operation.
Rival bandit factions clashed over the division of ransom loot and territorial control near the edges of Sububu forest in Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State. At least 15 militants were killed before surviving fighters withdrew towards the Sokoto boundary.
A joint patrol of military and customs border operatives intercepted a squad of the Lakurawa extremist group attempting to infiltrate villages near Mera in Augie LGA, Kebbi State. In the encounter, four militants were killed and sophisticated foreign weapons recovered.
Troops conducting jungle clearance operations under Operation Whirl Punch engaged an armed bandit encampment deep inside Kundu forest, Rafi LGA, Niger State. Seven bandits were eliminated and their camp structures burned to the ground.
Troops of Sector 4 Operation Safe Haven thwarted an attempted night raid by armed communal militia on Bungha Gida village, Mangu LGA, Plateau State. Three armed suspects were captured alongside two locally fabricated automatic rifles and machetes.
A joint detachment of troops and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives conducted a targeted raid against a kidnappers' transit camp in Gwagwada forest, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, recovering communications gear and neutralizing three bandits.
The Katsina State Police Command tactical squad laid an ambush for a kidnapping gang moving eight abducted students through bush paths in Kankara LGA. Two kidnappers were neutralized and all eight students rescued unharmed.
A bandit squad setting up an extortion roadblock along the Gusau-Funtua highway in Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State was routed by a mobile gun truck escort from Operation Hadarin Daji. Six bandits were killed and their weapons seized.
Elements belonging to the Sahelian-linked Lakurawa armed group attempted to enforce religious taxes and rustle livestock in Tarah village, Sabon Birni LGA, Sokoto State. Local defense forces and arriving troops engaged the militants, killing five Lakurawa fighters.
An armored patrol of Operation Hadin Kai survived a buried improvised explosive device (IED) detonation planted by ISWAP terrorists near Banki junction, Bama LGA, Borno State. The troops aggressively engaged the ambushing insurgents, killing four terrorists.
Dozens of bandits attacked mining workers and surrounding settlements in Allawa, Shiroro LGA, Niger State. Troops and local hunters mounted a defense, engaging the bandits for over three hours, killing seven bandits while suffering one soldier killed.
A daring night raid conducted by 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kidandan forest, Giwa LGA, Kaduna State dismantled an active hostage encampment, neutralizing four bandit guards and rescuing 16 hostages held for three weeks.
Troops of Sector 2 Joint Border Patrol intercepted a transnational arms smuggling syndicate crossing from Niger Republic into Jibia LGA, Katsina State. Three gunrunners were arrested and 3,200 rounds of live ammunition seized.
Troops conducting search-and-destroy clearance operations in Gidan Jaja, Zurmi LGA, Zamfara State overrun a fortified bandit staging post, recovering 12 motorcycles, 4 AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and neutralizing 5 militants.
Joint ISWAP/JAS attack on Ngoshe's military base and resettled town; 100+ killed, 300+ abducted.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on routine motorized highway patrol engaged an armed ambush team that had blocked the Naka-Makurdi road in Gwer West LGA, Benue State. Two bandits were neutralized and traffic flow restored safely.
Gunmen attacked an artisanal mining camp in Mangar community, Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, killing three miners. A rapid reaction team from Operation Safe Haven engaged the assailants, neutralizing two while tracking others into surrounding hills.
Heavily armed bandits attempting to raid Bena farming settlements in Danko-Wasagu LGA, Kebbi State were pushed back by combined Yan Banga vigilantes and Nigerian Army troops. Two vigilantes and seven bandits were killed in the heavy skirmish.
Counter-operation after Feb 14 Pulka base attack; commander killed, NGN 37m recovered.
The Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted precision airstrikes using Super Tucano aircraft against a clustered bandit camp in Bingi forest, Maru LGA, Zamfara State. Reconnaissance confirmed the destruction of weapon shelters and neutralized over 15 bandits.
A bandit gang linked to kingpin Bello Turji's network attempted to ambush commercial traders returning from Turba market in Isa LGA, Sokoto State. A motorized infantry escort engaged the attackers with heavy machine gun fire, routing them with six bandits killed.
Attack on workers rebuilding a previously terrorised village.
Seven soldiers killed, thirteen captured at Damasak military base.
Bandits mounted on motorcycles attempted an incursion into Sarkin Pawa, Munya LGA, Niger State. Joint security personnel supported by local vigilantes engaged them in a prolonged firefight, killing four assailants and forcing the rest into the Chikun forest reserve.
Operating on actionable human intelligence, troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army laid a tactical ambush for a bandit detachment crossing with rustled cattle in Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State. Five bandits were neutralized and over 120 cows recovered.
A coordinated counter-attack by the Katsina Community Watch Corps alongside Nigeria Police operatives repelled a nighttime bandit invasion in Maidabino village, Danmusa LGA. Fourteen abducted villagers were successfully liberated without ransom.
Troops deployed under Sector 1 of Operation Hadarin Daji engaged an armed bandit syndicate in a contact firefight near Wuya forest, Anka LGA, Zamfara State. Eight bandits were neutralized, with two PKT general-purpose machine guns and multiple AK-47 rifles recovered.
Christmas Day bombing at Gamboru Market mosque; 5 killed, 35 injured.
Nigeria moved to acquire 24 M-346FA aircraft from Italy after grounding its Chinese-made JF-17 Block II fleet.
8 killed, 3 missing at a Civilian Joint Task Force position.
Brig. Gen. M. Uba abducted and later killed; 4 others killed in initial ambush.
Multi-day inter-factional naval clash on Lake Chad islands; large militant casualties on both sides.
Attack on resettled community of Darajama; 63+ killed including 5 soldiers.
Dawn-prayer mosque attack in Katsina State; casualty figures diverge sharply by source.
Mass-capture incident described as a shift toward larger-scale bandit raids.
The Mali-based, Fulani-rooted Lakurawa network carried out a string of attacks across Sokoto and Kebbi states between January and June, killing at least 59 civilians according to regional security analysis.
Roadside IED, part of a wider rise in device use on the corridor.
Raid on Munumu Forest camps; leader's son among those killed (Yankuzo's own fate unconfirmed).
Nigeria continued a defence-industrial partnership with Italy covering AW-109 helicopters, with phased deliveries into early 2026.