The Defence Headquarters announced on Wednesday that troops killed 129 terrorists and criminals across Nigeria in June, while also rescuing 542 kidnapped victims during the same period. Major General Michael Onoja, director of defence media operations, revealed the figures while briefing journalists in Abuja.
The military arrested 486 suspects and dismantled seven illegal refining sites during June operations. Troops recovered 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products and seized 130 firearms alongside 5,538 rounds of ammunition.
Eleven insurgents surrendered to troops during the month, according to Onoja. He noted that these successes reflected significant operational progress across the country.
For the entire second quarter of 2026, the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded even more substantial gains. Troops neutralised 662 terrorists and criminals between April and June, Onoja told reporters.
The military arrested 1,084 terrorist suspects and other criminals during the quarter. Troops also rescued 951 kidnapped civilians and received the surrender of 39 insurgents.
Soldiers dismantled 12 illegal refining sites in the second quarter and recovered 328 firearms. They also seized 12,590 rounds of ammunition and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Onoja highlighted the June 6 operation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State as a major achievement. Troops rescued 360 civilians from the Mandara Mountains, mostly women and children who'd been abducted from Ngoshe community in March.
The military also targeted the command structures of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. Operations dismantled insurgents' logistics networks and recovered large weapons caches across multiple regions.
In the North-East, Operation Hadin Kai troops killed 76 terrorists and arrested 97 suspects during June. They rescued 465 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families.
Along the Buratai-Kamuya Road, troops rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight hijacked vehicles. Soldiers repelled terrorist attacks in Borno and Adamawa states and arrested suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers.
On June 29, troops responded to an attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area. They rescued seven pupils and a teacher, though one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed in the operation.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma troops neutralised 33 terrorists during June. They arrested 165 suspects and rescued 51 kidnapped victims across Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states.
Soldiers recovered weapons, motorcycles, improvised explosive device components and military uniforms allegedly used by terrorists. Troops also apprehended a wanted kingpin who was hiding among traders in Zamfara State.
Onoja said all operations complied with international humanitarian law and the Armed Forces' constitutional rules of engagement. He stressed that troops remained committed to protecting Nigeria's territorial integrity.
