Several Terrorists Killed, 284 Kidnapped Victims Rescued In January Military Operations
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have recorded significant operational successes across multiple theatres between 1 and 29 January 2026, neutralising scores of terrorists, arresting hundreds of suspects and rescuing large numbers of kidnapped victims during coordinated ground and air operations nationwide.
During a press briefing at the Defence headquarters on Friday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, told correspondents that military operations across the country during the period under review, led to the neutralization of scores of terrorists, the arrest of 452 other criminal elements and rescued 284 kidnapped victims.
Highlighting the gains recorded in the northeast, Onoja disclosed that troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI sustained intense pressure on Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. During the period, scores of terrorists were neutralised, 74 arrested, while 40 kidnapped victims were rescued. Additionally, 44 terrorists and their family members surrendered.
Notably, five top terrorist commanders and three lieutenants were killed during firefights, including senior commanders Basulhu, Ubaida, Qaid and Munzir. Operations in Gwoza, Damboa, Mobbar, Askira Uba, Konduga, Michika and Damaturu led to further arrests and rescues. Air interdiction missions in the Northern Tumbus and Timbuktu Triangle destroyed terrorist enclaves, weapons and equipment, forcing surviving fighters to flee with severe injuries.
In the northwest under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops conducted sustained offensives across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Kwara States and parts of the FCT. During the period, several terrorists were neutralised, 52 arrested and 100 kidnapped victims rescued.
Operations in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi States resulted in additional arrests, rescues and the recovery of arms, ammunition, vehicles and rustled livestock. Air strikes in Shiroro LGA of Niger State further neutralised terrorists following close air support requests from ground troops.
In the North Central zone, troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE recorded major gains across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara, Niger States and the FCT. Scores of extremists were neutralised, 144 criminals arrested, and 62 kidnapped victims rescued.
Operations in Plateau and southern Kaduna LGAs led to the arrest of multiple suspects and recovery of arms. A major breakthrough was the arrest of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Amadu Adamu, in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State.
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the South-south intensified efforts against oil theft, piracy and militancy. Troops destroyed 53 illegal refining sites, arrested 81 oil thieves and criminals, and recovered assorted arms and ammunition.
A breakdown of the recovere products reveal over 210,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 66,725 litres of AGO, 660 litres of DPK and 5,000 litres of PMS. Additional arrests were made in Akwa Ibom and Delta States, while air reconnaissance missions disrupted illegal petroleum siphoning activities.
Troops of Operation UDO KA in the country’s southeastern region maintained pressure on criminal elements across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. During the period, some terrorists were neutralised, 22 arrested and 11 kidnapped victims rescued. Over 80 militants surrendered, while eight Cameroonian nationals were rescued during cross-border patrols along the Bakassi waterways.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives, property and the nation’s territorial integrity. This is even as the military commended Nigerians for their cooperation and urged continued intelligence sharing under the “See Something, Say Something” initiative, as sustained operations continue to degrade terrorist and criminal networks nationwide.
