The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded major operational successes across the country in June and throughout the second quarter of 2026, neutralising 665 terrorists, arresting over 1,000 criminal elements, rescuing more than 900 victims, and dismantling several kidnapped terrorists and criminal networks.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday during the Defence Headquarters Monthly and Second Quarter media briefing in Abuja, where he gave an overview of military operations across the various theatres of operation.
Major General Onoja said “the Armed Forces sustained coordinated land, air and intelligence-led operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, IPOB/ESN, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves and arms traffickers, stressing that the military remained committed to restoring peace, stability and public confidence nationwide.”
In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects, rescued 595 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members during the second quarter.
READ ALSO: DHQ Reaffirms Stronger, Transparent Media Partnership
He described the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children, from the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on June 6 as one of the military’s landmark operations.
The victims had been held captive since their abduction from Ngoshe community in March.
According to him, troops also thwarted several terrorist attacks in Borno and Adamawa states, dismantled terrorist logistics networks, arrested collaborators and successfully rescued school children abducted from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
In the North West, Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects, rescued 153 kidnapped victims, and secured the surrender of one terrorist during the quarter.
Troops also intercepted large quantities of ammunition, arrested terrorist logistics suppliers and foiled arms trafficking operations in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states.
Major General Onoja said “Operation Savannah Shield operating in parts of the North Central arrested 48 terrorists, rescued 38 kidnapped victims, and neutralised 24 terrorists, while Operation Enduring Peace recorded 32 terrorists neutralised, 171 arrests, and 86 victims rescued across Plateau and Southern Kaduna”.
Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Taraba states neutralised 27 terrorists, arrested 86 suspects, rescued 59 kidnapped victims, and intercepted weapons, explosives and ammunition intended for criminal groups.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe intensified operations against oil theft, kidnapping and organised crime, dismantling illegal refining sites, recovering over 308,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, and arresting dozens of suspects involved in kidnapping and economic sabotage.
The Defence spokesman reaffirmed the military’s commitment to transparency, professionalism and accountability, assuring Nigerians that troops would continue sustained offensive operations against all criminal elements while consolidating gains recorded across the country.
A minute of silent were observed for officers that lost their lives in defending their father land.
