The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded sweeping operational successes across all theatres of operation during the second quarter of 2026, neutralising 662 terrorists and other criminal elements, arresting 1,084 suspects, rescuing 951 kidnapped victims, and facilitating the surrender of 39 insurgents and their family members.
During the combined Defence Headquarters Monthly and Second Quarter Media Briefing on ongoing military operations, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces sustained coordinated offensive operations employing joint ground assaults, precision air strikes, intelligence-led missions, and strategic interdictions that significantly degraded the operational capabilities of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its armed wing the Eastern Security Network (ESN), kidnapping syndicates, illegal oil bunkering cartels, and cross-border arms traffickers.
Major General Onoja stated that the operational achievements reflected the Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to restoring peace, stability and public confidence across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
He disclosed that during the month of June alone, troops neutralised 129 terrorists and criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped civilians, facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families, recovered 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition, dismantled seven illegal refining sites, and recovered more than 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Giving a theatre-by-theatre breakdown, Major General Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained relentless pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. During the month, troops neutralised 76 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects, rescued 465 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families.
He described the rescue of 360 civilians, predominantly women and children, from terrorist captivity during a sophisticated multi-axis operation in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on 6 June 2026 as one of the most significant operational achievements of the quarter. He added that troops also successfully rescued seven schoolchildren and a teacher following a terrorist attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State after engaging the fleeing terrorists in pursuit operations.
According to him, Operation HADIN KAI recorded its highest quarterly gains with 484 terrorists neutralised, 370 arrested, 595 kidnapped victims rescued and 38 insurgents with their family members surrendering.
In the North-West, Major General Onoja said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States, neutralising 77 terrorists, arresting 210 suspects and rescuing 153 kidnapped victims during the quarter.
He noted that troops intercepted major arms consignments, arrested terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, recovered sophisticated weapons and ammunition, and disrupted several terrorist supply networks through intelligence-led operations.
The Director further stated that troops under Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE sustained pressure on terrorists, kidnappers and criminal syndicates across Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Plateau, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo States.
He explained that the operations resulted in the neutralisation of scores of terrorists, the arrest of more than 300 suspects, the rescue of nearly 200 kidnapped victims, and the recovery of large quantities of arms, ammunition and explosives while dismantling several criminal networks operating across the North Central region.
Speaking on operations in the Niger Delta, Major General Onoja said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified efforts against economic sabotage by dismantling illegal refining sites and protecting critical national infrastructure.
He disclosed that during the quarter, troops destroyed 12 illegal refining sites, arrested 84 criminal suspects and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Premium Motor Spirit and other petroleum products while disrupting organised oil theft networks across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States.
In the South-East, he said Operation UDO KA recorded significant breakthroughs against IPOB and ESN operatives through targeted decapitation operations.
According to him, troops neutralised 12 terrorists, arrested 115 suspects and rescued 20 kidnapped victims during the quarter while recovering General Purpose Machine Guns, RPG launchers, AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, improvised explosive devices, police uniforms, communication equipment and large quantities of ammunition from terrorist hideouts.
Major General Onoja also highlighted the contributions of the Nigerian Air Force, noting that precision air interdiction missions conducted in Kaduna and Niger States destroyed terrorist camps, neutralised several terrorists and prevented planned attacks on military formations after successful intelligence gathering and positive target identification.
Beyond combat operations, he said the Armed Forces continued to strengthen civil-military cooperation through agricultural support programmes, medical intervention projects, humanitarian assistance, mediation between oil companies and host communities, and collaboration with international humanitarian organisations to ensure the safe delivery of relief materials to conflict-affected communities.
He emphasised that all military operations were conducted in strict compliance with the Constitution, International Humanitarian Law and established Rules of Engagement.
Major General Onoja said the operational record for June and the second quarter demonstrated the professionalism, discipline and resilience of the Armed Forces in confronting emerging security threats across the country.
He conveyed the commendation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, to troops across all operational theatres for their courage, discipline and dedication to duty.
The Chief of Defence Staff also appreciated the support of civilian communities, the Civilian Joint Task Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies whose cooperation and timely intelligence significantly contributed to the successes recorded.
General Oluyede assured Nigerians that the Defence Headquarters would sustain and intensify offensive operations against all threats to national security until peace and stability are fully restored across the country. He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the nearest military formation or through the Defence Headquarters toll-free emergency line 193, assuring that all information received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
