The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded significant operational successes across various theatres of operation nationwide during the second quarter of 2026, rescuing 951 kidnapped victims, neutralising 662 terrorists and other criminal elements, and arresting 1,084 suspected terrorists and criminals between April and June.
The military said the achievements were recorded through sustained land, air and maritime operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies as part of efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, crude oil theft and other forms of violent crime threatening national security.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he presented the operational scorecard of the Armed Forces for the period under review.
According to Onoja, troops also facilitated the surrender of 39 insurgents following sustained military offensives against terrorist groups operating in different parts of the country.
He said the Armed Forces remained committed to denying terrorists and other criminal groups freedom of action through intelligence-driven operations, coordinated offensives and sustained pressure across all theatres of operation.
Providing further details, the Defence spokesman said troops recovered a total of 328 assorted firearms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition during various operations conducted across the country.
He explained that the weapons and ammunition were recovered during clearance operations, raids on criminal hideouts, ambushes and rescue missions carried out in areas affected by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The military also intensified its campaign against crude oil theft and economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, leading to the destruction of 12 illegal oil refining sites.
According to the DHQ, troops recovered more than 464,000 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), during anti-oil theft operations aimed at protecting the nation’s economic assets.
Onoja said the operations dealt a significant blow to oil thieves and economic saboteurs, adding that the Armed Forces would continue to work closely with relevant government agencies to safeguard critical infrastructure and improve crude oil production.
Giving a breakdown of operational achievements for June alone, the Defence spokesman disclosed that troops neutralised 129 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 486 suspects and rescued 542 kidnapped victims across the country.
He further revealed that 11 insurgents surrendered during the month, while troops recovered 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition from criminal elements.
Onoja attributed the successes recorded by the military to improved synergy among the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security organisations, as well as the support received from members of the public through credible intelligence.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting military operations by providing timely and useful information capable of preventing attacks and assisting security agencies in tracking down criminal elements.
As part of efforts to strengthen communication between citizens and security agencies, the Defence Headquarters unveiled a new toll-free emergency line, 193, through which members of the public can report suspicious activities and security threats across the country.
He assured Nigerians that all information received through the dedicated line would be handled professionally and treated with strict confidentiality to encourage greater public participation in the fight against insecurity.
The Defence spokesman reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality.
He commended officers and soldiers for their professionalism, courage and sacrifices in defending the nation, stressing that the military would continue to adapt its operational strategies to emerging security threats while maintaining pressure on terrorist groups and criminal networks.
Onoja reiterated that the Armed Forces would not relent in their constitutional responsibility of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and safeguarding the lives and property of citizens, expressing confidence that sustained military operations, combined with public support, would further improve security across the country. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
