The Nigerian military has intensified nationwide offensives against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, separatists, and other criminal groups, neutralising senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, Abu Salim Al-Barnawi, in what it described as a major setback for the insurgents.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said Al-Barnawi was killed on July 12, 2026, during a failed Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The terrorist group later confirmed his death through an obituary, acknowledging the loss of a key figure who coordinated cross-border attacks into Cameroon before leading the group’s media and propaganda operations.
Providing an update on military operations conducted between July 17 and July 23, 2026, Onoja said Nigerian Army Aviation also carried out successful airstrikes on ISWAP/JAS positions in Yaganari, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several terrorists.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator, Abubakar Tanimu, in Kaduna State over alleged involvement in ransom collection, sale of rustled cattle, intelligence gathering, and harbouring terrorists.
In Plateau State, troops repelled an ambush by armed militia in Riyom Local Government Area after a two-hour gun battle, killing two suspected attackers and restoring control of the area.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered multiple illegal crude oil refining sites in Rivers State, recovering over 27,000 litres of stolen crude oil and petroleum products.
Also in Rivers State, troops of Operation Udo Ka raided a suspected criminal hideout along the Omoku–Ogbaku–Ndoni axis, recovering rifles and ammunition believed to have been used for kidnappings and attacks on security personnel.
