DHQ: Military Kills 662 Terrorists, Rescues 951 Kidnap Victims in Second Quarter Operations
The Defence Headquarters says the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 662 terrorists and other criminal elements across the country during operations conducted in the second quarter of 2026.
The military also rescued 951 kidnapped civilians, arrested 1,084 terror suspects and criminals, while intensifying offensive operations against insurgents, bandits, oil thieves and separatist groups nationwide.
The figures were disclosed on Wednesday during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly and second-quarter operational briefing in Abuja by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
According to the DHQ, troops operating across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East and South-South recorded significant successes through coordinated ground assaults, intelligence-led operations and precision air strikes.
Onoja said the operations targeted Boko Haram, ISWAP, the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, bandits, kidnappers, crude oil thieves and arms traffickers.
He said the military also facilitated the surrender of 39 insurgents and their family members during the quarter, recovered 328 assorted weapons and 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and seized more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Giving a breakdown of June operations, the Defence Headquarters said troops neutralised 129 terrorists and criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped victims and secured the surrender of 11 insurgents.
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The military also recovered 130 weapons, 5,538 rounds of ammunition and dismantled seven illegal refining sites while recovering over 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Among the major operational successes highlighted was the rescue of more than 360 civilians, mostly women and children, during a multi-axis operation in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State after months in terrorist captivity.
The DHQ also cited sustained military pressure that led to the surrender of several insurgents, the dismantling of terrorist logistics networks, the disruption of arms trafficking routes and the decapitation of key IPOB/ESN command structures in the South-East.
It added that Nigerian Air Force aircraft conducted multiple precision strikes against terrorist hideouts in Kaduna and Niger states, destroying camps and neutralising several terrorists while supporting ongoing ground operations.
Beyond combat operations, the military said it expanded its civil-military cooperation initiatives through humanitarian support, medical outreach, community development projects and collaboration with international humanitarian organisations to improve access to conflict-affected communities.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, courage and discipline, while appreciating local communities, vigilante groups and other security agencies for providing credible intelligence that contributed to the operational successes.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational tempo until terrorist and criminal groups are decisively defeated and lasting peace is restored across the country.
By PRNigeria
