DHQ: Troops Neutralise 129 Terrorists, Rescue 542 Kidnap Victims In June Operations
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained aggressive operations across all theatres in June 2026, neutralising 129 terrorists and other criminal elements.
Director of Defence Media Operations,
Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed this on Wednesday, during the monthly briefing on military operations,added that troops also
arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped victims and compelled 11 insurgents to surrender.
He said coordinated land, air and intelligence-driven operations significantly degraded the capabilities of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), IPOB/ESN, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal groups across the country.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 76 terrorists, arrested 97 others, rescued 465 kidnapped victims and received the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families. Among the month’s major successes was the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children, during a multi-axis operation in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State after more than three months in terrorist captivity.
Troops also repelled several terrorist attacks during the month, recovered arms and ammunition, dismantled terrorist logistics networks and arrested key collaborators. In a separate operation following the attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, troops pursued the attackers, rescued seven students and a teacher, and recovered seven motorcycles.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops neutralised 33 terrorists, arrested 165 suspects and rescued 51 kidnapped victims during sustained operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states. The operations also disrupted arms trafficking networks, leading to the seizure of weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and military uniforms allegedly intended for criminal use, while several terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested.
Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD operating in the North Central arrested 19 terrorists and rescued four kidnapped victims, while intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of several suspected informants and members of terrorist networks in Niger, Kwara and Oyo states.
Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE operating in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State neutralised five terrorists, arrested 87 suspects and rescued 18 kidnapped victims through coordinated rescue missions, patrols and targeted raids. Security forces also recovered weapons and arrested suspected kidnappers, informants and other criminal elements.
Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the neutralisation of three terrorists, arrested 26 suspects and rescued four kidnapped victims across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states. Troops also intercepted significant consignments of arms and ammunition, dismantled illegal mining-related criminal activities and disrupted arms supply routes into the North Central region.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE neutralised six criminal elements, arrested 53 suspects, dismantled seven illegal refining sites and recovered more than 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products. Troops also foiled planned kidnappings, rescued abducted victims and intensified operations against crude oil theft and economic sabotage across the Niger Delta.
Operation UDO KA in the South East recorded the neutralisation of six IPOB/ESN members and the arrest of 39 suspects during operations across Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo states. Several weapons, explosives, ammunition and other military-grade equipment were recovered, while troops dismantled criminal hideouts and disrupted logistics networks supporting the outlawed groups.
The Nigerian Air Force also intensified air interdiction operations in support of ground forces. Precision air strikes targeted terrorist hideouts in Kaduna and Niger states, while aerial surveillance and armed reconnaissance missions disrupted planned attacks and provided security along critical transport corridors, including the Abuja-Kaduna rail route.
Major General Onoja said the June operations resulted in the recovery of 130 firearms, 5,538 rounds of ammunition, the dismantling of seven illegal refining sites and the seizure of over 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Providing an overview of operations for the second quarter of 2026, covering April to June, the DHQ said troops neutralised 662 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 1,084 suspects, rescued 951 kidnapped victims, while 39 insurgents surrendered. Troops also recovered 328 firearms, 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites, and seized more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products, reflecting sustained pressure on terrorist and criminal networks nationwide.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and courage, while appreciating the support of local communities, the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilante groups and other security agencies.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational momentum until all threats to national security are neutralised and urged citizens to continue providing credible intelligence through military formations or the Defence Headquarters’ toll-free line 193.
