By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has announced significant operational gains in its nationwide campaign against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft, recording the neutralisation of 662 terrorists and criminals during the second quarter of 2026.
The military also disclosed that 1,084 suspected terrorists and other criminals were arrested, while 951 kidnapped civilians were rescued across various theatres of operation during the period.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures on Wednesday while briefing journalists on military operations conducted in June and throughout the second quarter of 2026.
According to him, 39 insurgents surrendered to troops during the quarter, while security forces recovered 328 firearms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition in various operations aimed at disrupting terrorist and criminal networks.
Onoja said the Armed Forces also intensified efforts against crude oil theft by dismantling 12 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Providing a breakdown of June operations, he said troops neutralised 129 terrorists and criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped victims, and received the surrender of 11 insurgents.
He added that troops recovered 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition during the month, dismantled seven illegal refining sites, and intercepted more than 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The Defence spokesman described the second-quarter performance as evidence of the military’s sustained professionalism, operational effectiveness and determination to restore peace and security across the country.
He noted that among the major achievements during the period was the rescue of more than 360 civilians held captive by terrorists, including a large-scale multi-axis rescue operation carried out in the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on June 6.
According to Onoja, “troops also recorded successes in dismantling insurgent logistics networks, recovering substantial caches of arms and ammunition, disrupting illicit oil refining activities, and targeting the leadership structures of criminal groups, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He stressed that all military operations were conducted in strict compliance with International Humanitarian Law, constitutional rules of engagement, and the Armed Forces’ mandate to protect lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Onoja also urged the general public to continue providing timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line, 193.
“You are assured that all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” he said.
On air interdiction, he noted that the Nigerian Air Force conducted critical air interdiction missions in support of ground operations during the period.
He said: “On June 12, 2026, following a technical fault aboard the Abuja-Kaduna train service, airpower assets provided sustained air cover, patrolling the Kaduna-Abuja Main Supply Route, the adjoining railway track, and the Rijana and Katari general areas before extending the mission to include a security patrol over the Nigerian Defence Academy perimeter in Kaduna. This underscored the operational flexibility and rapid-response capability of the AFN’s air component.
“On June 19, 2026, airpower assets operating in the Kidandan area of Yadi Forest, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, tracked terrorists on motorcycles to their forest hideout and executed a precision strike, neutralising the terrorists and destroying their stores.
“On June 22, 2026, in the same Kidandan area, four terrorists on motorcycles were tracked to a hideout and neutralised. Local communities in Giwa and its environs have testified to the effectiveness of these air interdiction missions, which have significantly disrupted the operational freedom of terrorist and bandit elements in the area.”
Onoja further noted that on June 29, 2026, the Air Component also conducted air strikes against terrorists in Niger and Kaduna states, neutralising several terrorists after carrying out a precision strike on a 200-strong terrorist gathering along the Dogon Dawa axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. He said the wounded survivors fled towards Kurugin Maidawa.
He added: “In Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Air Component also intercepted and engaged three motorcycles conveying suspected terrorists en route to Kamuku Forest, foiling a planned reprisal attack on troops. Both operations were executed following positive target identification and in full compliance with the extant Rules of Engagement and the Law of Armed Conflict, reinforcing the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s resolve to sustain offensive operations until lasting peace is restored across the North-West.”
