A civil society organisation, Coalition for National Security and Democratic Stability, has commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, following the neutralisation of 317 terrorists and criminal elements across the country within one month.

The group said the latest operational figures released by the Defence Headquarters reflect renewed momentum in the military’s campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and organised criminal networks.

Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the coalition’s president, Samuel Agada, said the achievements recorded in May 2026 demonstrate improved coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions under Oluyede’s leadership.

According to figures released by the Defence Headquarters, troops operating across various theatres of operation neutralised 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians during coordinated nationwide operations carried out in May.

The military also recovered weapons, dismantled illegal arms factories and destroyed oil theft facilities in different parts of the country.

Reacting to the development, Agada said the results showed that the Armed Forces were steadily regaining operational dominance in several 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,” he said.

“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.”

The coalition said military 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 counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters in the north-east, describing the rescue of abducted women and children as a major humanitarian achievement.

He added that the dismantling of illegal arms manufacturing facilities and the interception of logistics networks supplying criminal groups represented major breakthroughs in weakening terrorist and kidnapping operations.

“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 said.

The coalition also praised ongoing military 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 timely and credible intelligence, while also expressing condolences to families of military personnel who lost their lives during operations.

“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.

The group maintained that although insecurity remains a major challenge, recent operational gains indicate that sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations can significantly weaken criminal networks threatening peace and stability across the country.