Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
Military Neutralises 662 Terrorists, Rescues 951 Kidnap Victims in Q2 2026 OperationsMilitary Neutralises 662 Terrorists, Rescues 951 Kidnap Victims in Q2 2026 Operations
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says it neutralised 662 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 1,084 suspects and rescued 951 kidnapped victims during military operations conducted across the country in the second quarter of 2026.
The figures were disclosed on Wednesday during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly and second-quarter briefing on ongoing military operations.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops sustained coordinated offensives against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves and arms traffickers.
According to him, troops also recovered 328 firearms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products during the period. Thirty-nine insurgents and their family members also surrendered to the military.
Providing a breakdown of operations in June, Onoja said troops neutralised 129 terrorists and criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped victims, recovered 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition, dismantled seven illegal refining sites and recovered over 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects and rescued 595 kidnapped victims during the quarter. The military said one of its major operations was carried out on June 6 in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where troops rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been held captive by terrorists.
The military also reported gains in the North-West under Operation Fansan Yamma, where 77 terrorists were neutralised, 210 suspects arrested and 153 kidnapped victims rescued.
In the North-Central, Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke recorded a combined 83 terrorists neutralised, 305 suspects arrested and 183 kidnapped victims rescued during the quarter.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe arrested 84 suspects, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East neutralised 12 suspected IPOB and ESN members, arrested 115 suspects and recovered several weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices during operations across the region.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their commitment and professionalism, as well as the support of other security agencies, local vigilantes and host communities.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist and criminal groups and urged Nigerians to continue providing credible information through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says it neutralised 662 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 1,084 suspects and rescued 951 kidnapped victims during military operations conducted across the country in the second quarter of 2026.
The figures were disclosed on Wednesday during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly and second-quarter briefing on ongoing military operations.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops sustained coordinated offensives against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves and arms traffickers.
According to him, troops also recovered 328 firearms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products during the period. Thirty-nine insurgents and their family members also surrendered to the military.
Providing a breakdown of operations in June, Onoja said troops neutralised 129 terrorists and criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped victims, recovered 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition, dismantled seven illegal refining sites and recovered over 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects and rescued 595 kidnapped victims during the quarter. The military said one of its major operations was carried out on June 6 in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where troops rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been held captive by terrorists.
The military also reported gains in the North-West under Operation Fansan Yamma, where 77 terrorists were neutralised, 210 suspects arrested and 153 kidnapped victims rescued.
In the North-Central, Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke recorded a combined 83 terrorists neutralised, 305 suspects arrested and 183 kidnapped victims rescued during the quarter.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe arrested 84 suspects, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,000 litres of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East neutralised 12 suspected IPOB and ESN members, arrested 115 suspects and recovered several weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices during operations across the region.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their commitment and professionalism, as well as the support of other security agencies, local vigilantes and host communities.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist and criminal groups and urged Nigerians to continue providing credible information through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.