*As military shifts focus to dismantling criminal networks
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) killed 662 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 1,084 suspects and rescued 951 kidnapped victims across the country during the second quarter of 2026, as the military intensified intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and criminal networks beyond conventional battlefield engagements.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the successes were recorded through sustained joint land operations, close air support and intelligence-driven missions conducted across the various theatres of operation nationwide.
According to him, the Armed Forces “recorded significant and far-reaching operational successes across all operational theatres during the month of June as well as the Second Quarter 2026,” noting that 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 achievements reflected “the enduring commitment of a professional and resolute force dedicated to restoring peace, stability, and confidence across every geopolitical zone of the nation.”
The North-East remained the epicentre of military operations, accounting for 484 terrorists killed, 370 arrests and 595 kidnapped victims rescued during the quarter under Operation Hadin Kai.
The theatre also recorded the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members. Among the most significant operations was the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children, during a multi-axis raid on the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
In the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects and rescued 153 kidnapped victims, while also intercepting arms traffickers, logistics suppliers and terrorist collaborators in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
“The combined operations in the North-Central also underscored the military’s growing emphasis on dismantling criminal infrastructure,” General Onoja said.
He said that across Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke, troops killed 83 terrorists, arrested 305 suspects and rescued 183 kidnapped victims.
According to him, “Several operations specifically targeted terrorist informants, kidnappers’ collaborators, illegal arms couriers and logistics providers, disrupting support networks sustaining criminal groups across the region”.
The South-East, he said, witnessed a similar intelligence-led approach, adding, “Under Operation Udo Ka, troops neutralised 12 terrorists, arrested 115 suspects and rescued 20 kidnapped victims during the quarter. Military operations also led to the recovery of large caches of weapons, improvised explosive devices and ammunition, while key IPOB/ESN commanders and logisticians were apprehended in targeted raids”.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe focused largely on organised criminality and economic sabotage. Troops neutralised six criminal elements, arrested 84 suspects, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products, dealing what the military described as a major blow to illicit oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.
The statistics also point to an evolving operational strategy, with arrests significantly exceeding the number of terrorists killed. The 1,084 suspects apprehended during the quarter included terrorist collaborators, informants, financiers, logistics suppliers, arms traffickers and kidnapping syndicate members, indicating an increased emphasis on degrading the support structures that enable terrorist and criminal organisations to operate.
Major General Onoja said the briefing highlighted “ongoing efforts to address evolving security dynamics across the country,” adding that the military remained committed to consolidating operational gains through coordinated actions across all theatres.
He reaffirmed that the Armed Forces would continue sustained counter-terrorism, counter-banditry, counter-kidnapping, anti-oil theft and anti-arms proliferation operations to further restore security and stability across the country.
