Gallant troops in the past three months intensified the counterterrorism strikes of the Armed Forces of Nigeria killing 662 terrorists, nabbing 1,084 and rescuing 951 kidnap victims in the nation’s multi-theatre operations while also destroying 12 illegal refining sites, according to full scale disclosures by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja who stated these at a regular briefing of defence journalists said that security forces recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Major General Onoja said the successes were achieved through coordinated land, air and intelligence-driven operations targeting Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), bandits, kidnappers, IPOB/ESN elements and arms traffickers across the country.
According to him, Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East recorded the highest number of successes, neutralising 484 terrorists, arresting 370 suspects, rescuing 595 kidnapped victims and facilitating the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members.
He said that the achievements recorded between April and June and throughout the second quarter of 2026 reflected the gallantry, passion, professional focus, operational efficiency and the rare unswerving commitment of troops across the country to the effective leadership direction of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede and Service Chiefs.
According to him, the successes were driven by sustained joint land operations, close air support, intelligence-led missions and coordinated actions.
The Defence media operations spokesperson further disclosed that in June 2026 alone, troops neutralised 129 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents.
Providing a theatre-by-theatre breakdown of military operations, Major General Onoja said troops of Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, neutralised 76 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects, rescued 465 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their family members.
One of the most significant operations, according to him, took place on June 6, when troops launched a multi-axis assault in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State rescuing 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been held captive since their abduction from Ngoshe on March 3, 2026.
Major General Micheal Onoja further said that other sterling and notable achievements included the rescue of 53 civilians and the recovery of eight hijacked vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya Road, and the successful troops’ push-back against coordinated terrorist attacks in Buratai and Lamurde.
He also cited the dismantling of terrorist logistics networks, the arrest of key collaborators, and the rescue of seven abducted schoolchildren and a teacher following an attack on Government Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
“For the quarter, Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects, rescued 595 kidnapped victims and received the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members,” he said.
He said that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West neutralised 33 terrorists, arrested 165 suspects and rescued 51 kidnapped victims in June alone.
The operations also led to the recovery of several firearms, motorcycles, improvised explosive device (IED) materials and large quantities of ammunition.
“Among the notable achievements, he said, were the arrest of a notorious terrorist kingpin at Shinkafi Market, the interception of more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, the arrest of terrorist collaborators arriving on a pilgrim flight, and the apprehension of logistics suppliers transporting 69 jerry cans of fuel intended for terrorist groups,” he said.
He maintained that the cumulative operational gains demonstrated the collective commitment of the Armed Forces to restoring normalcy, order, peace, stability and public confidence across the country.
He assured that the Defence Headquarters would continue to “consolidate its achievements through sustained offensive operations, enhanced intelligence gathering and stronger inter-agency collaboration aimed at eliminating security threats across the country.
