The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded major operational gains across the country in the second quarter of 2026, neutralising 662 terrorists and criminal elements, arresting 1,084 suspects.
Troops also rescued 951 kidnapped civilians, recovering 328 arms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantling 12 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Presenting the operational scorecard during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly and second-quarter media briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the achievements reflected “sustained professionalism, operational excellence, and unwavering resolve of troops across all operational theatres.”
According to him, “The AFN neutralised 662 terrorists and criminals; 1,084 terrorist/criminals arrested; 951 kidnapped civilians rescued; 39 insurgents surrendered; 328 arms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition recovered; 12 illegal refining sites dismantled; and over 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products recovered, representing a significant degradation of criminal and terrorist operational capacity nationwide.”
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, emerging as the most active theatre during the period.
Troops neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects, rescued 595 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members.
A major highlight was the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children, during a sophisticated multi-axis operation in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the operation underscored its determination to free civilians from terrorist captivity and restore normalcy to affected communities.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West also recorded significant gains against terrorists and bandits operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
During the quarter, troops neutralised 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects and rescued 153 kidnapped victims. The theatre also witnessed major arms interceptions and the arrest of several collaborators involved in supplying logistics to criminal groups.
The Defence Headquarters noted that sustained offensives had continued to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups in the region.
In the North-Central zone, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD intensified operations across Niger, Kwara, Kogi and Oyo states, neutralising 24 terrorists, arresting 48 suspects and rescuing 38 kidnapped victims.
Several high-value terrorist informants and collaborators were apprehended, providing intelligence that helped security forces track and dismantle criminal networks operating within the region.
Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded notable successes in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State, where troops neutralised 32 terrorists, arrested 171 suspects and rescued 86 kidnapped victims during the quarter.
Security forces also recovered arms and ammunition while conducting targeted raids against kidnappers and criminal syndicates threatening communities and major transportation routes.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE operating across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states also sustained pressure on armed groups and kidnappers.
The theatre recorded the neutralisation of 27 terrorists, the arrest of 86 suspects and the rescue of 59 kidnapped victims.
Military operations disrupted arms trafficking networks and led to the recovery of weapons and ammunition intended for criminal elements operating within the North-Central region.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified efforts against crude oil theft, illegal refining and kidnapping syndicates. Troops arrested 84 criminals, neutralised six criminal elements, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The operation also led to the arrest of several suspected kidnappers and the rescue of victims in parts of Edo and Cross River states.
The South-East theatre, under Operation UDO KA, recorded major breakthroughs against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Troops neutralised 12 terrorists, arrested 115 suspects and rescued 20 kidnapped victims. Operations led to the arrest of key commanders and logisticians, while troops recovered large caches of weapons, ammunition and explosives from criminal hideouts across the region.
The Nigerian Air Force also provided critical support to ground operations through intelligence-driven air interdiction missions.
Precision air strikes in Kaduna and Niger states reportedly neutralised several terrorists, destroyed hideouts and disrupted planned attacks on communities and security forces.
Highlighting the significance of the achievements, Onoja said the rescue of hundreds of civilians, including the 360 victims freed in Gwoza, alongside the dismantling of insurgent logistics networks and recovery of weapons, demonstrated the effectiveness of ongoing military operations.
He stated, “The rescue of over 360 civilians from unlawful captivity, including the landmark multi-axis rescue at the Mandara Mountains, Gwoza LGA, Borno State, the neutralisation of numerous hostile elements, the systematic dismantling of insurgent and criminal logistics networks, the recovery of substantial caches of arms and ammunition, the interception of significant volumes of illicitly refined petroleum products, and the targeted decapitation of IPOB/ESN command structures collectively represent a period of exceptional operational achievement across all geopolitical zones.”
The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that all military operations were conducted in line with international humanitarian law and established rules of engagement.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their gallantry and professionalism during the period and reassured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational momentum.
“reassures the Nigerian public and the international community that the Defence Headquarters will sustain and intensify its operational tempo against all threats to national security until every theatre is stabilised, displaced persons are able to return to their homes, and every Nigerian can live in freedom, safety, and dignity.”
He also urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that national security remains a collective responsibility.
