Troops in January this year raised the bar in the fight against terror and general criminality across the country arresting 452 suspected terrorists and criminals while rescuing 284 kidnapped victims, among other accomplishments of the Chief of General Staff (CDS) General Olufemi Oluyede-led Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in 2026.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed this on Friday at his end-of-month media briefing at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on ongoing nationwide military operations said the AFN made a resounding head-start in January 2026.
Major General Onoja disclosed that 124 terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops while several others were neutralised in sustained offensives across all theatres of operation in the country.
He further revealed that troops disrupted and denied oil theft worth several millions of naira arising from spectacular recovery of 210,300 litres of crude oil, 66,725 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 660 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit while 53 illegal refining sites were destroyed.
In the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, Onoja said troops neutralised scores of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, arresting 74 suspects and rescuing 40 victims. He said that five top terrorist commanders and three lieutenants were killed during firefights, while 44 terrorists and their families surrendered.
Operations in the North West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA led to the arrest of 52 suspects and rescue of 100 kidnapped victims across Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and parts of the FCT.
In the North Central, troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE arrested over 140 suspects, rescued dozens of victims and apprehended a wanted kidnap kingpin, Amadu Adamu, in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE recorded the arrest of 81 oil thieves and destruction of 53 illegal refining sites, while troops recovered stolen petroleum products and weapons in Akwa Ibom and Delta States.
But in the South East, Operation UDO KA got over 80 militants to surrender, arresting 22 suspects and rescuing 11 kidnapped victims. Eight Cameroonian nationals were also rescued during cross-border patrols.
Major General Micheal Onoja while commenting on the successes gave assurance that the Armed Forces remained committed to safeguarding lives and property, urging Nigerians to continue providing timely information to security agencies.
He also thanked the media and citizens for their support, stressing that sustained operations and community cooperation would help achieve lasting peace and stability.
