The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops have recorded significant gains in the fight against insecurity, with the killing of several terrorists and kidnappers, the arrest of dozens of suspects, the rescue of hostages and civilians, and the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition during coordinated military operations conducted across the country between June 19 and June 25.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the operations spanned counter-terrorism, counter-banditry, anti-kidnapping, anti-oil theft, and anti-arms proliferation campaigns across all theatres of operation.
According to the military, the operations recorded successes in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East, reflecting what it described as “the enduring commitment of a professional and resolute military committed to restoring peace, stability and confidence across every geopolitical zone of the nation.”
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued dozens of civilians and recorded fresh terrorist surrenders in Borno State.
The military said two teenage girls believed to be relatives of terrorists surrendered to troops in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, after revealing that sustained military pressure and shortages of food and other necessities had made continued stay in terrorist camps unbearable.
On the same day, troops rescued two women and three children abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe community in March and reunited them with the community leadership.
In another operation in Kukawa Local Government Area, troops recovered and safely evacuated 27 surrendered terrorists and their family members, comprising 12 adults and 15 children, who were airlifted to Maiduguri for medical attention and processing.
Troops also rescued eight additional escapees, including a widow of a slain Civilian Joint Task Force member and a male toddler.
The military further disclosed that troops repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in Buratai District, Biu Local Government Area, recovered an AK-47 rifle and more than 200 rounds of ammunition, while another operation along the Buratai-Kamuya Road led to the rescue of 53 civilians and the recovery of eight hijacked vehicles.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested several suspected terrorists in Zamfara, Kaduna and Kano states while foiling planned attacks and recovering weapons, motorcycles and military uniforms allegedly used by criminal groups.
Security forces also intercepted three suspected terrorist collaborators during the processing of a pilgrim flight at Gusau International Airport in Zamfara State.
In Katsina State, troops raided a bandits’ enclave, killing four suspected bandits in separate operations and recovering PKT machine guns, ammunition, motorcycles and camouflage uniforms.
In Ogun State, troops under Operation Savannah Shield killed two suspected kidnappers following a gun battle at a forest hideout after a kidnapping incident in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
The troops recovered firearms, mobile phones and ₦2.2 million believed to be proceeds of kidnapping, while efforts to apprehend fleeing suspects are ongoing.
Similarly, troops under Operation Enduring Peace arrested a suspected terrorist at a checkpoint in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory after he allegedly attempted to bribe soldiers to evade a search.
According to the military, forensic analysis of his mobile phones uncovered photographs showing him and others posing with weapons, ammunition and large sums of cash.
In another major breakthrough, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke intercepted an arms supply route along the Sokoto-Kano highway.
Although the courier escaped, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, nine magazines, two Beretta pistols, ammunition, communication radios and camouflage jackets.
Another suspect was arrested in Nasarawa State with 174 rounds of live ammunition during a routine patrol.
In the South-South, troops intensified the crackdown on oil theft, intercepting more than 211,000 litres of suspected illegally refined and adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.
The military also arrested suspected kidnappers in Edo State following their identification by one of their victims and rescued two kidnapped victims abandoned by fleeing criminals in Uhiere Forest.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka operating in the South-East neutralised suspected IPOB/ESN fighters during an encounter in Anambra State.
The military said the suspects, who were dressed in military and police uniforms, were travelling in a Toyota Sienna vehicle when troops engaged them.
Items recovered included a PKM machine gun, two AK-47 rifles, improvised explosive devices, multiple mobile phones and Nigeria Police uniforms.
The Nigerian Air Force also carried out precision airstrikes in Kaduna State, targeting terrorist hideouts in Giwa Local Government Area.
According to the military, the operations eliminated several terrorists and destroyed logistics bases supporting criminal activities.
Commenting on the nationwide operations, the Defence Headquarters said the achievements demonstrate the military’s determination to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks across the country.
“The successes recorded across all operational theatres between 18 and 25 June 2026 indicate the tenacity and dedication of troops deployed across the length and breadth of the country,” the statement said.
