From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters says in the month of June and second quarter of this year 2026, its troops across various threatres of operations have neutralized 662 terrorists, arrested 1,084 suspects, rescued 951 kidnapped victims, and 39 insurgents surrendered.
Within the period, the troops also recovered 328 arms, 12,590 rounds of ammunition, and dismantled 12 illegal refining sites.
They further recovered over 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Briefing news men in Abuja on Wednesday on the achievements recorded by the ongoing military operations nationwide in the month of June and second quarter of this year, the Director, Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Major General Michael Onoja noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded significant and far-reaching operational successes across all operational theatres during the month of June as well as Second Quarter 2026.
According to him,through sustained coordinated operations employing strategic joint land patrols, close air support, and intelligence-led engagements, troops systematically degraded the operational capabilities of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as kidnapping syndicates, illegal oil bunkering cartels, and cross-border arms traffickers.
He said the cumulative operational records of ongoing counter-terrorism, counter-banditry, counter-kidnapping, economic sabotage interdiction, and anti-proliferation of small arms and light weapons collectively reflects the enduring commitment of a professional and resolute force dedicated to restoring peace, stability, and confidence across every geopolitical zone of the nation.
He observed that in the month June 2026, a total of 129 terrorists were neutralized,486 criminal suspects arrested, and 452 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 11insurgents surrendered to troops.
“For the Second Quarter 2026, the AFN neutalised 662 terrorists and criminals; 1,084 terrorist/criminals arrested; 951 kidnapped civilians rescued; 39 insurgents surrendered; 328 arms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition recovered; 12 illegal refining sites dismantled; and over 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products recovered representing a significant degradation of criminal and terrorist operational capacity nationwide.
” Notably, the rescue of over 360 civilians from unlawful captivity, including the landmark multi-axis rescue at the Mandara Mountains, Gwoza LGA, Borno State on 6 June 2026, the neutralisation of numerous hostile elements, the systematic dismantling of insurgent and criminal logistics networks, the recovery of substantial caches of arms and ammunition, the interception of significant volumes of illicitly refined petroleum products, and the targeted decapitation of IPOB/ESN command structures collectively represent a period of exceptional operational achievement across all geopolitical zones.” He said.
Major General Onoja explained that all operations were conducted in strict adherence to International Humanitarian Law, constitutional rules of engagement, and the AFN’s fundamental mandate to protect the life, property, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Defence Media Operation while highlighting on the operational activities carried out by the Joint Task force in the North East under Operation Hadin Kai he said the troops of operation Hadin Kai
maintained sustained kinetic pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP networks across Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States, and executing high-impact clearance operations, targeted rescues, and decisive interdictions of terrorist supply chains throughout the month.
He said in the month of June,troops neutralized 76 terrorist fighters, arrested 97 terrorists, rescued 465 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families.
Overall he said during the quarter, troops neutralized 484 terrorist fighters, arrested 370 terrorists, rescued 595 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 38 insurgents and their families.
In the North West of Operation Fansan Yamma he said troops conducted decisive operations against terrorists and criminal networks across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, recording multiple neutralisations and significant arms recoveries throughout the period.
He said during the month, troops neutralized 33 terrorists, arrested 165 terrorists and rescued 51 kidnapped victims. Clearance and patrol operations across Faskari and Jibia LGAs in Katsina State; Birnin Magaji, Maru, Zurmi, Shinkafi, and Gummi LGAs in Zamfara State; and Dandi and Arewa Dandi LGAs in Kebbi State resulted in the neutralisation of at least 19 terrorists and the recovery of numerous firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, motorcycles, an RPG launcher tube, and IED chargers.
He noted that on 22 June 2026, troops neutralised 4 terrorists at Ginchawa village, Matazu LGA, Katsina State, recovered 2 PKT machine guns, an AK-47 magazine, 75 rounds of linked (NATO) ammunition, and a camouflage uniform, and On 23 June 2026, an ambush in Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State, yielded a PKT machine gun, 2 motorcycles, chains used on kidnap victims, and 8 pairs of military uniforms, indicative of criminal efforts to impersonate security personnel.while On 26, 2 suspected terrorist collaborators were arrested at Wanke in Gusau LGA, Zamfara State, with incriminating materials recovered from their mobile phones.
” Overall, during the quarter, troops neutralized 77 terrorist fighters, arrested 210 terrorists, rescued 153 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 1 terrorist.”Onoja said.
In the North Central under Operation Savannah Shield, troops conducted offensive operations that delivered measurable security gains across Kwara, Niger, Ogun, and Oyo States. During the month, troops arrested 19 terrorists and rescued 4 kidnapped victims.
He said on 30 May 2026, troops executed a fighting patrol to Gulbi community in Borgu LGA, Niger State, and upon withdrawal effectively repelled a terrorist ambush between Gulbi and Sabon Gari community, neutralised scores of terrorists and recovered 15 motorcycles and 253 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition; multiple IEDs planted along the withdrawal route were successfully detonated in situ by troops, and on 17 June 2026, troops engaged approximately 20 motorcycle-mounted terrorists at Dnakawala and Ghoghola villages in Shiroro LGA, Niger State, and further yielded a series of high-value arrests that significantly disrupted terrorist networks across the North Central region., while on 4 June 2026, a high-value terrorist informant who had long been on the security forces’ watch list was arrested at Kara Market, Wawa, Borgu LGA, Niger State, and who is currently undergoing detailed interrogation.
He said during the quarter, troops neutralized 24 terrorist fighters, arrested 48 terrorists, and rescued 38 kidnapped victims.
Under the Operation Enduring Peace in the North Central,troops recorded consistent successes in disrupting kidnapping networks and restoring the security of transit corridors in Southern Kaduna and Plateau States.
During the month, troops neutralized 5 terrorists, arrested 87 terrorists and rescued 18 kidnapped victims, recovered arms and ammunition in multiple targeted raids.
He said on 1 June 2026, troops patrolling Ungwan Gora village in Sanga LGA, Kaduna State, discovered an abandoned passenger vehicle on the highway and launched an immediate search-and-rescue operation, successfully rescuing 5 kidnapped passengers and evacuated 2 injured victims to General Hospital, Gwantu, while on 5, troops recovered 6 passengers from an abandoned vehicle along the Hawan Kibo-Rafin Sayin road in Riyom LGA, Plateau State, following reports of abductors blocking the route.
“On 10, 2 passengers were rescued at Kassa village in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, after breaking free from their abductors, while a joint military sweep in Kafi Habu Fulani hamlets in the same LGA on the same date led to the arrest of 2 wanted kidnappers positively identified by a former victim. On 21, a suspected terrorist intercepted at a checkpoint in Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, was found in possession of 3 mobile phones; forensic examination revealed photographs of suspects brandishing arms, ammunition, and large sums of cash, providing compelling evidence of his involvement in terrorist activities.” He said.
The troops of operation Whirl Stroke in the North Central sustained kinetic operations against armed groups, kidnappers, and criminal networks across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, recording significant kinetic and arms interdiction successes throughout the period.
He said during the month, troops neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 26 terrorists, and rescued 4 kidnapped victims. Stressing that on 30 May, one terrorist was neutralised at a known crossing point in Jakura community, Lokoja LGA, Kogi State, with an AK-47 rifle, 5 magazines, and 70 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition recovered, and 1 June 2026, 5 suspects were arrested at an illegal mining site in Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, and 7 explosives, detonating cord, and associated equipment recovered, while on 21 June 2026, troops intercepted a vehicle on the Sokoto-Kano highway enroute to Kogi State and, despite the courier’s escape, recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 9 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 2 Beretta pistols, 2 Baofeng handheld radios, and 3 camouflage jackets, an interception that demonstrably disrupted a significant arms supply.
He said during the second quarter of this year,troops neutralized 27 terrorist fighters, arrested 86 terrorists, and rescued 59 kidnapped victims.
The Joint Task force of Operation Delta Safe in the South -South he said troops conducted sustained operations across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States and successfully dismantling kidnapping networks and neutralised individuals engaged in organised violent criminality.
During the month, troops neutralized 6 terrorists, arrested 53 terrorists, dismantled 7 illegal refining sites, and recovered over 308,515 litres of petroleum products.
“On 1 June 2026, a pre-emptive raid at Idumogbo community, Esan Central LGA, Edo State, resulted in the arrest of 4 kidnappers who had finalised plans to abduct a medical professional and the widow of a senior military officer. ” Major General Michael explained.
He said, between 19 and 22 June 2026, troops collectively intercepted approximately 103,500 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO at the APS Limited Jetty, Woji, Rivers State; 63,290 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO along the Orashi Forest corridor, Abua-Odua LGA, Rivers State; and approximately 45,000 litres of suspected adulterated AGO along the Itu-Calabar road, Itu LGA, Akwa Ibom State, collectively representing a major blow to organised illicit fuel distribution networks in the region.
He said overall, during the quarter, troops neutralized 6 criminal elements, arrested 84 criminals, destroyed 12 illegal refining site and recovered over 464,268 litres of petroleum products including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene, and Premium Motor Spirit.
In the South East, troops Operation Udo Ka recorded landmark successes in decapitation operations against the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the ESN, across Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States.
During the month he said, troops neutralized 6 criminals and arrested 39 suspects.
Onoja said on 9 June 2026, troops arrested 6 suspected IPOB/ESN members at Nenwe community, Aninri LGA, Enugu State; a follow-up exploitation of a suspected arms cache disguised as a piggery at Gariki, Enugu South LGA, yielded a General Purpose Machine Gun, an RPG-7 tube, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 hand grenades, and 748 rounds of assorted ammunition, and on10 June 2026, a raid on a suspected IPOB/ESN safe house at Agbani, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State, recovered 8 AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 323 rounds of ammunition, and 10 pairs of IPOB uniforms, while on 15 June 2026, suspected IPOB/ESN Commander Chima Ejiofor Emmanuel (alias “Moroco”) was apprehended at Life Care Maternity Hospital, Okigwe LGA, Imo State, where he was recuperating from surgery; preliminary investigation confirmed his active membership and participation in the group’s activities since 2025.
He further noted that on 23 June 2026, troops made contact with IPOB/ESN members dressed in military and police uniforms along the Ogboji-Ajali road in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, and troops neutralized 3 terrorists and recovered a PKM machine gun, 2 AK-47 rifles, 4 improvised explosive devices, a vehicle, 10 Android mobile phones, and Nigeria Police uniforms.
Troops also recorded significant gains in dismantling criminal networks and disrupting illicit economic activities.
The Defence Media Operation said that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, commended the gallantry and discipline demonstrated by troops across all theatres during the period.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff while extending his heartfelt appreciation to the civilian communities, the Civilian Joint Task Forces, local vigilante groups, and all security agencies whose cooperation and invaluable intelligence contributions have been critical enablers of the successes, he said General Oluyede also reassured the Nigerian public and the international community that the Defence Headquarters will continue to sustain and intensify its operational tempo against all threats to national security until every theatre is stabilised, displaced persons are able to return to their homes, and where every Nigerian can live in freedom, safety, and dignity.
He, however encouraged the general public to continue providing timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193.
“You are assured that all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.”; He assured.