By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Military has intensified its nationwide offensive against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, recording the neutralisation of 662 terrorists and criminal elements across various theatres of operation during the second quarter of 2026.
This was revealed on Wednesday during its monthly and second-quarter operational briefing in Abuja, stating that troops also arrested 1,084 suspects and rescued 951 kidnapped victims between April and June.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the successes were achieved through coordinated land, air and intelligence-driven operations targeting Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, kidnappers, IPOB/ESN elements and arms traffickers across the country.
According to him, Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East recorded the highest number of successes, neutralising 484 terrorists, arresting 370 suspects, rescuing 595 kidnapped victims and facilitating the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members.
A major breakthrough occurred on June 6 when troops conducted a multi-axis operation in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, rescuing 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been held captive by terrorists since March.
The military also reported successful operations against terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, leading to several arrests and the disruption of insurgent support networks in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects and rescued 153 kidnapped victims during operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Operations in the North-Central region also yielded significant gains. Troops of Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke neutralised dozens of terrorists, arrested hundreds of suspects and rescued scores of kidnapped victims while recovering arms, ammunition and explosives.
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka sustained pressure on the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), neutralising 12 terrorists, arresting 115 suspects and recovering sophisticated weapons and explosive devices from criminal hideouts.
Major General Onoja said the military would continue to sustain offensive operations against all security threats, while the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and urged citizens to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies.
