The Federal Government’s counter-terrorism efforts have recorded significant gains notwithstanding the recent wave of kidnapping, a policy think tank has said, pointing to the killing of over 8,000 terrorists and the rescue of hundreds of abducted citizens as evidence that the campaign is working.
The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), in a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Omoniyi Akinsiju, said security operations between 2023 and now had led to the arrest of 11,600 criminals and the recovery of thousands of weapons across multiple theatres.
Among the recent highlights cited by the group was a June 6, 2026 rescue by Operation HADIN SAI troops of 360 kidnapped victims from a fortified enclave deep within the Mandara Mountains of Borno State. Joint operations in Kwara, Kogi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger States had also freed dozens of additional victims in recent weeks, the group said.
IMPI attributed the improved performance largely to the Tinubu administration’s investment in military hardware, including the delivery of 24 M-346FA fighter jets, four-T129 ATAK Helicopters, and five Agusta 109S Trekker helicopters.
“The Nigerian army is also equipped with 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters to operationalise the newly established army aviation unit. Deliveries also include Diamond DA62 surveillance aircraft and King Air 360i multi-purpose aircraft.
“The administration has also implemented extensive training and capacity-building programmes for the Nigerian Armed Forces, comprising the establishment of new training depots, including a facility in Abakaliki/Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, expanding the total number of army training depots to three, alongside those in Zaria and Osogbo.
“The administration is also partnering with allied nations, including sending approximately 200 officers and soldiers to Türkiye for advanced special forces and tactical training and securing defence and advisory arrangements with nations like France to improve interoperability in joint operations.
“Similarly, the government has launched an elite Special Operations Force programme focusing on counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, intelligence gathering, cyber warfare, and adaptability for high-risk missions. These elite troops have been deployed for many rescue operations in recent times,” think tank noted.
It however added that more still needed to be done in the area of technology to boost the operational readiness of security operatives as well as addressing socio-economic factors in remote areas which criminal elements latch on to perpetrate criminality.
