The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has intensified its nationwide offensive against terrorism and criminality, neutralising several terrorists and rescuing 284 kidnapped victims in January 2026.
This was disclosed on Friday during the end-of-month press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
He said troops across all theatres of operation recorded remarkable successes, arrested 452 suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, while 124 terrorists and their family members surrendered within the period.
According to him, security forces also disrupted crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, recovering over 210,000 litres of stolen crude oil and destroying 53 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta.
In the North East, under Operation HADIN KAI, troops sustained pressure on Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists, eliminating several commanders and dismantling key logistics networks across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
Major General Onoja said coordinated ground and air operations led to the neutralisation of scores of insurgents and the rescue of dozens of abducted victims.
Similarly, Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North West recorded major breakthroughs with the arrest of 52 suspects and the rescue of 100 victims across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna States.
In the North Central zone, Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE resulted in the arrest of over 140 suspects and the rescue of several kidnapped victims in Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States.
The South-South and South-East operations also recorded significant gains, including the arrest of oil thieves, surrender of militants, and rescue of foreign nationals.
Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
He urged Nigerians to continue providing timely information to security agencies, stressed that public cooperation remained critical to winning the fight against insecurity.
