Troops kill Scores of Terrorists, Arrest 452 Suspects, Rescued 284 Kidnapped Victims In January
By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Military High Command (DHQ) said troops have neutralised scores of terrorists, arrested 452 suspects and rescued 284 kidnapped victims during coordinated military operations across the country in January 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, averred this while briefing Defence Correspondents on Friday in Abuja.
According to General Onoja, “during the month under review the operations led to the surrender of 124 terrorists and their family members, the destruction of 53 illegal refining sites, and the recovery of large volumes of stolen petroleum products.
He said troops disrupted oil theft and illegal refining activities, recovering 210,300 litres of crude oil, 66,725 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 660 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
“In the North East, under Operation HADIN KAI, troops sustained pressure on Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS factions across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
“Troops killed numerous fighters, the arrest of 74 suspects and the rescue of 40 kidnapped victims. Forty-four terrorists and their family members surrendered, while five top commanders and three lieutenants were killed during firefights.
“Air interdiction missions in areas such as the Northern Tumbus and Timbuktu Triangle destroyed terrorist enclaves and eliminated senior ISWAP figures, including commanders identified as Qaid and Munzir’, he added.
He said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West recorded similar gains, with operations spanning Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and neighbouring states.
“Troops neutralised several terrorists, arrested 52 suspects and rescued 100 kidnapped victims, while air support in Shiroro, Niger State, helped repel armed groups during clearance operations.
“In the North Central, Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE led to the arrest of more than 170 criminal suspects and the rescue of dozens of abducted persons across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Defence headquarters also announced the arrest of a wanted kidnapping kingpin, Amadu Adamu, in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE focused on curbing oil theft, sea piracy and militancy. Troops arrested 81 suspects, dismantled illegal refining camps and conducted armed reconnaissance missions that intercepted vessels siphoning petroleum products.
Also, in the South East, Operation UDO KA recorded the surrender of over 80 militants, the rescue of eight Cameroonian nationals during cross-border patrols, and a noticeable reduction in crime across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. Twenty-two suspects were arrested and 11 kidnapped victims rescued during the period.
Major General Onoja said the Armed Forces remained committed to professionalism, transparency and collaboration with local communities and other security agencies.
He urged Nigerians to continue providing timely information to security forces, reiterating the Chief of Defence Staff’s call to “See Something, Say Something,” as the military works toward lasting peace and stability nationwide.
