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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that troops conducting counter-insurgency and other security operations across the country recorded significant successes in the last three months, neutralising 662 terrorists and arresting 1,084 suspects.
The troops also rescued 951 kidnapped victims, destroyed 12 illegal refining sites and recovered over 464,268 litres of petroleum products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual-Purpose Kerosene and Premium Motor Spirit, during the period under review.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this at a media briefing on military operations conducted over the last three months.
He said the operational achievements recorded during the quarter underscored the professionalism, operational excellence and unwavering resolve of troops deployed across all theatres of operation.
Giving an update on the operations, Onoja disclosed that in June 2026 alone, troops neutralised 129 terrorists and criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped civilians and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents.
He attributed the successes to sustained joint land operations, close air support, intelligence-driven missions and coordinated operations that significantly degraded the capabilities of terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as kidnapping syndicates, oil theft cartels and cross-border arms traffickers.
In the North-East, Onoja said troops of Joint Task Force North-East Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
In June, he said troops neutralised 76 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects, rescued 465 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their family members.
According to him, one of the most significant operations was conducted on June 6, when troops carried out a multi-axis assault in the Mandara Mountains, Borno State, rescuing 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had remained in terrorist captivity since their abduction from Ngoshe on March 3.
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“Other notable achievements included the rescue of 53 civilians and eight hijacked vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya Road, repelling coordinated terrorist attacks in Buratai and Lamurde, dismantling terrorist logistics networks, arresting key collaborators and rescuing seven abducted schoolchildren and a teacher following an attack on Government Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
“For the quarter, Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects, rescued 595 kidnapped victims, and received the surrender of 38 insurgents and their families.”
In the North-West, he said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded major successes across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
He disclosed that troops neutralised 33 terrorists, arrested 165 suspects and rescued 51 kidnapped victims in June alone.
The operations resulted in the recovery of numerous firearms, motorcycles, improvised explosive device (IED) materials and large quantities of ammunition.
He said: “Notable achievements included the arrest of a notorious terrorist kingpin at Shinkafi market, interception of over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, arrests of terrorist collaborators arriving on a pilgrim flight, and the apprehension of logistics suppliers transporting 69 jerry cans of fuel intended for terrorist groups.”
Major General Onoja said the cumulative operational successes demonstrate the Armed Forces’ enduring commitment to restoring peace, stability and public confidence across the country.
He added that the Defence Headquarters would continue to consolidate operational gains through sustained offensive operations, enhanced intelligence gathering and improved inter-agency collaboration.
