Troops Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Arrest 1,359, Rescue 813 Victims In Q1 2026
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) say troops neutralised scores of terrorists and criminal elements nationwide in the first quarter of 2026, alongside the arrest of 1,359 suspects and rescue of 813 kidnapped victims.
The military also confirmed the surrender of 197 insurgents, recovery of 458 arms and 15,899 rounds of ammunition, and dismantling of 101 illegal refining sites.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Tuesday during a briefing at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, noting that operations spanned all theatres including the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified offensives against Boko Haram/ISWAP, eliminating several commanders and fighters, arresting 274 suspects, rescuing 168 victims, and facilitating the surrender of 90 insurgents and their families. Notably, ISWAP confirmed the death of senior leader Abu Yahya Al-Muhajir, underscoring the impact of ongoing operations on the group’s leadership.
Within March alone, multiple high-profile operations were recorded, including the killing of top commanders such as Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago in Sambisa Forest, and the neutralisation of 74 terrorists during a foiled attack in Mallam Fatori. Troops also intercepted logistics supplies, repelled coordinated assaults, and dismantled terrorist support networks across Borno and Yobe states.
In the North West and North Central theatres, troops sustained pressure on bandits and other criminal elements, rescuing hundreds of kidnap victims, arresting suspects, and destroying terrorist enclaves. Operations also led to the interception of arms, ammunition, and explosive materials, while several attacks were foiled across Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Kogi and neighbouring states.
Similarly, in the South South and South East, troops disrupted oil theft networks, arrested suspects, neutralised criminal elements, and destroyed illegal refining sites. Over 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered, while clearance operations against IPOB/ESN elements led to arrests, IED recoveries, and the neutralisation of fighters.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations in line with international law, vowing to intensify efforts to dismantle all terrorist and criminal networks, while urging continued public support and intelligence sharing.
