By Nkechi Eze
The sustained momentum of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and internal security campaign is beginning to yield increasingly decisive results, as the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) continues to apply coordinated pressure on terrorist groups, bandits, kidnappers, militants and other criminal elements across all theatres of operation. Backed by improved intelligence fusion, joint inter-agency cooperation, effective air-ground integration and growing support from local communities, the military has maintained a relentless operational tempo that is steadily degrading the capacity of non-state actors to organise, recruit and operate freely.
Military authorities attribute the current gains to a combination of aggressive clearance operations, precision air interdictions, persistent surveillance, enhanced logistics support to frontline troops and closer collaboration with hybrid forces and local security groups. These efforts, complemented by timely intelligence from citizens and responsible media engagement, have strengthened situational awareness and responsiveness, enabling faster, more targeted actions against hostile elements.
Providing an overview of nationwide operations during a press briefing by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military disclosed that within the month of January 2026 alone, troops across the various theatres neutralised several terrorists, arrested four hundred and fifty-two suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, rescued about two hundred and eighty-four kidnapped victims, while one hundred and twenty-four terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops. The Armed Forces also recorded notable successes in the fight against crude oil theft and illegal refining, dissuading criminals from oil theft and recovering two hundred and ten thousand, three hundred litres of crude oil, sixty-six thousand, seven hundred and twenty-five litres of Automotive Gas Oil, six hundred and sixty litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine and five thousand litres of Premium Motor Spirit. In addition, fifty-three illegal refining sites were discovered and destroyed during the period under review.
In the North East, troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI sustained intense pressure on Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists through coordinated ground offensives supported by the Air Component, hybrid forces and local security groups. Operations conducted between 1 and 29 January across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States led to the neutralisation of scores of terrorists, the arrest of seventy-four suspects and the rescue of forty kidnapped victims. Notably, forty-four terrorists and their family members surrendered, while five top terrorist commanders and three of their lieutenants were eliminated during fierce firefights.
Troops also carried out offensive operations in Gwoza, Damboa, Mobbar, Askira Uba and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as Michika in Adamawa State and Damaturu in Yobe State, where several terrorists were neutralised, seventeen arrested and twelve kidnapped victims rescued. In a separate encounter at the Mandara Mountains on 22 January, troops neutralised two terrorist commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida alongside several fighters, recovering weapons and large caches of ammunition.
Air interdiction and armed reconnaissance missions further degraded terrorist enclaves. A coordinated air strike on a newly identified terrorist location in the Northern Tumbus, believed to serve as a hibernation area for prominent ISWAP commanders and fighters, resulted in the destruction of weapons, equipment and multiple enemy casualties. In another operation, dozens of ISWAP fighters were neutralised in the Timbuktu Triangle, including a senior commander identified as Qaid and his lieutenant Munzir, while surviving terrorists fled with severe injuries. Surveillance has since been intensified around Bulabulin and Korengelen South East of Azir in Damboa Local Government Area to track and eliminate fleeing elements.
Across the North West, troops of Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained high operational tempo throughout the month, conducting offensive operations across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi and Kwara States, as well as parts of the Federal Capital Territory. These operations resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of fifty-two suspects and the rescue of one hundred kidnapped victims. Arms and ammunition were intercepted from terrorists’ gunrunners at different locations within the theatre.
Specifically, operations in Anka, Birnin Magaji, Maru, Tsafe, Bungudu and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State; Kankara, Dandume and Kurfi in Katsina State; Isa, Tangaza, Binji, Tureta and Sabon Birni in Sokoto State; as well as Doka, Kachia and Zaria in Kaduna State and Borgu and Zuru in Niger and Kebbi States respectively, led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of sixteen criminals and the rescue of thirty-five kidnapped victims. Weapons, vehicles and rustled livestock were recovered during the operations.
The Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA also provided close air support to ground troops conducting clearance operations at Chukuba Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State following a distress call. The location was scanned, terrorists’ activities were confirmed, and targets were engaged with cannons, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists.
In the North Central region, troops of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls on extremist activities across Plateau State and parts of Kaduna State. During multiple firefights, scores of extremists were neutralised, eighty-six other criminals were arrested and twenty-four kidnapped victims were rescued, with arms and ammunition recovered.
Operations in Kanam, Barkin Ladi, Qua’an Pan, Jos East, Bassa, Jos South, Bokkos and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, as well as Jama’a and Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State, led to further neutralisation of extremists, the arrest of eleven criminals and the rescue of six kidnapped victims. Notably, troops arrested a wanted kidnap kingpin identified as Amadu Adamu in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Similarly, troops of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE operating across Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara, Niger States and the Federal Capital Territory conducted several offensive operations between 1 and 29 January 2026. These actions resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of fifty-eight criminals and the rescue of thirty-two kidnapped victims, with assorted arms and ammunition recovered.
Further operations in Jalingo and Ardo Kola Local Government Areas of Taraba State; Kabba Bunu, Yagba West and Yagba East in Kogi State; Oyun in Kwara State; Gwer West and Logo in Benue State; Doma and Lafia in Nasarawa State; and Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the FCT led to the arrest of twenty-nine criminals and the rescue of nine kidnapped victims.
In the South-South region, troops of Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE responded to sea piracy, militancy and other criminal activities, foiling large-scale crude oil theft and illegal refining. Within the month, troops recovered two hundred and ten thousand, three hundred litres of crude oil, sixty-six thousand, seven hundred and twenty-five litres of Automotive Gas Oil, six hundred and sixty litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine and five thousand litres of Premium Motor Spirit. Fifty-three illegal refining sites were destroyed, while eighty-one oil thieves and other criminals were arrested. Assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
Recent offensive operations in Ini/Itam Ibom and Essien Udim Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State and Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State led to the arrest of five suspects and recovery of arms and ammunition. Additionally, the Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted armed reconnaissance missions over Bakana and Abuloma, where a large barge observed siphoning petroleum products was acquired and engaged.
In the South East, troops of Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA responded to terrorists, militancy and other criminal activities across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. Over eighty militants surrendered to troops during the period, while eight Cameroonian nationals were rescued during cross-border patrols along the Bakassi waterways. During the month, some terrorists were neutralised, twenty-two suspects were arrested and eleven kidnapped victims rescued, with arms and ammunition recovered. The military noted that crime rates in the region have drastically reduced compared to previous months.
Reaffirming the Armed Forces’ resolve, the military stated that troops remain focused, professional and resolute in safeguarding lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity. While challenges persist, sustained operations, inter-agency collaboration and community support continue to translate into measurable progress.
The Armed Forces also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their cooperation, resilience and patriotism, urging citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in line with the Chief of Defence Staff’s mantra: “See Something, Say Something.” With sustained collective effort, the military expressed confidence that lasting peace and stability will be achieved across the country.
