The Defence Headquarters has announced major successes in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, revealing that troops neutralised 662 terrorists, arrested 1,084 suspects and rescued 951 kidnapped victims during military operations carried out across the country in the second quarter of 2026.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the achievements were recorded through sustained intelligence driven operations conducted by troops in different theatres of operation nationwide. He added that 39 insurgents also surrendered to the military during the period, while troops recovered 328 assorted weapons and 12,590 rounds of ammunition from criminal elements.
According to the military, the operations also dealt a heavy blow to economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, where troops dismantled 12 illegal crude oil refining sites and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products. The Defence Headquarters described the achievements as a significant reduction in the operational capabilities of terrorist groups and other criminal networks across the country...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Major General Onoja disclosed that June alone accounted for a substantial portion of the successes, with troops eliminating 129 terrorists and other criminals, arresting 486 suspects and rescuing 542 kidnapped victims. During the same period, 11 insurgents surrendered, while security forces recovered 130 firearms, 5,538 rounds of ammunition and dismantled seven illegal refining sites, recovering over 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
He highlighted several notable operations, including the rescue of more than 360 civilians held in captivity, particularly a large scale operation at the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. He said troops also destroyed insurgent logistics networks, recovered large caches of weapons and disrupted the command structures of violent criminal groups, describing the quarter as one of exceptional operational achievements for the Armed Forces.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the courage, professionalism and resilience of the troops, while appreciating the support of local communities, the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilante groups and other security agencies whose intelligence and cooperation contributed to the successes. He assured Nigerians that the military would sustain its offensive against all security threats until peace is fully restored across the country and urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence through the military’s designated communication channels.
