The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded significant operational successes across the country's various theatres of operation during the second quarter of 2026, neutralising 662 terrorists and other criminals, arresting 1,084 suspects, and rescuing 951 kidnapped victims.
Addressing journalists during the Second Quarter 2026 Media Briefing on ongoing military operations, the Director Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said the briefing was aimed at providing timely, accurate and factual updates on military operations while reaffirming the Armed Forces' commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism.
According to him, the operational achievements recorded during June and the second quarter underscore the professionalism, operational excellence and unwavering resolve of troops deployed across all theatres.
Major General Onoja disclosed that in June 2026 alone, troops neutralised 129 terrorists and criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped civilians, facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents, recovered 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition, dismantled seven illegal refining sites, and recovered over 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
For the second quarter of 2026, he said the Armed Forces neutralised 662 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,084 terrorists and criminal elements, rescued 951 kidnapped civilians, received the surrender of 39 insurgents, recovered 328 weapons and 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites, and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
He attributed the successes to sustained joint land operations, close air support, intelligence-driven missions and coordinated operations that significantly degraded the capabilities of terrorist groups including Boko Haram, ISWAP, the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as kidnapping syndicates, oil theft cartels and cross-border arms traffickers.
Operation HADIN KAI Records Major Successes
Providing theatre-by-theatre updates, the Defence spokesman said troops of Joint Task Force Northeast Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
During June, troops neutralised 76 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects, rescued 465 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families.
One of the most significant operations was conducted on 6 June, when troops carried out a multi-axis assault in the Mandara Mountains, Borno State, rescuing 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had remained in terrorist captivity since their abduction from Ngoshe on 3 March.
Other notable achievements included the rescue of 53 civilians and eight hijacked vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya Road, repelling coordinated terrorist attacks in Buratai and Lamurde, dismantling terrorist logistics networks, arresting key collaborators and rescuing 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 families.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA Intensifies Offensive
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded major successes across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
During June, troops neutralised 33 terrorists, arrested 165 suspects, and rescued 51 kidnapped victims.
The operations resulted in the recovery of numerous firearms, motorcycles, improvised explosive device (IED) materials and large quantities of ammunition.
Notable achievements included the arrest of a notorious terrorist kingpin at Shinkafi market, interception of over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, arrests of terrorist collaborators arriving on a pilgrim flight, and the apprehension of logistics suppliers transporting 69 jerry cans of fuel intended for terrorist groups.
Overall, during the quarter, Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects, rescued 153 kidnapped victims, and received the surrender of one terrorist.
Other Operational Theatres
Major General Onoja said troops under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in the North Central zone neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 48 suspects, and rescued 38 kidnapped victims during the quarter while dismantling criminal networks across Kwara, Niger, Ogun and Oyo States.
Under Operation ENDURING PEACE, troops operating in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and the FCT neutralised 32 terrorists, arrested 171 suspects, and rescued 86 kidnapped victims through sustained anti-kidnapping operations and targeted raids.
Similarly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE operating across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States neutralised 37 terrorists, arrested 86 suspects, and rescued 59 kidnapped victims during the quarter while intercepting significant consignments of arms and ammunition.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained the fight against oil theft and organised crime, neutralising six criminals, arresting 53 suspects, dismantling seven illegal refining sites, and recovering over 308,515 litres of illegally refined petroleum products during June.
Military Reaffirms Commitment to National Security
Major General Onoja said the cumulative operational successes demonstrate the Armed Forces' enduring commitment to restoring peace, stability and public confidence across the country.
He added that the Defence Headquarters would continue to consolidate operational gains through sustained offensive operations, enhanced intelligence gathering and improved inter-agency collaboration.
The Director also conveyed the assurance of the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, that the Armed Forces would sustain and intensify operations against all threats until every theatre is stabilised, displaced persons return safely to their communities and Nigerians can live in peace and security.
He urged members of the public to continue supporting the military by providing credible and timely information through the nearest military formation or the Defence Headquarters toll-free emergency line 193, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
"National security is a shared civic responsibility," he said.
