During June 2026, Nigerian military forces successfully neutralised 129 terrorists and captured 486 criminal suspects, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ). Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, reported that 542 kidnapped individuals were rescued throughout the month. Additionally, troops dismantled seven unauthorized oil refineries, recovered over 308,000 litres of stolen fuel, and seized 130 weapons alongside more than 5,500 rounds of ammunition. Eleven insurgents voluntarily laid down their arms during this period.
Looking at the entire second quarter of 2026, the Armed Forces eliminated 662 combatants, detained 1,084 suspects, and secured the release of 951 civilians. Major General Onoja highlighted the June 6 mission in Borno State’s Mandara Mountains as a notable victory, where troops saved over 360 civilians who had been held captive since March. Despite these successes, the military suffered losses, including the death of one soldier and one Civilian Joint Task Force member during a rescue mission at a school in Askira-Uba.
Operations spanned various regions, with Operation Hadin Kai managing efforts in the North-East and Operation Fansan Yamma covering the North-West. In the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe focused on destroying illegal oil infrastructure, while Operation Udoka targeted IPOB and ESN militants in the South-East, recovering various heavy weapons and police equipment. Air Force strikes were instrumental in neutralizing terrorist camps in Kaduna and Niger states, providing crucial support for ground troops.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, lauded the soldiers for their bravery and professional conduct. He expressed gratitude to the public and local vigilante groups for their ongoing intelligence contributions. The military leadership remains committed to maintaining pressure on criminal factions until national stability is achieved, urging citizens to continue reporting suspicious activity via the 193 emergency line.
