Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria killed 129 terrorists, arrested 486 suspects, and rescued 542 kidnapped civilians in June, the Defence Headquarters has said.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said 11 insurgents surrendered during the period.
According to him, troops also recovered 130 arms, 5,538 rounds of ammunition, destroyed 7 illegal refining sites, and recovered 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Onoja described the June and Q2 2026 results as proof of the military’s “sustained professionalism and unwavering resolve” across all operational theatres.
He said: “For the Second Quarter 2026, the AFN neutalised a total of 662 terrorists and criminals, 1,084 terrorist/criminals arrested, 951 kidnapped civilians rescued, 39 insurgents surrendered, 328 arms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition recovered, 12 illegal refining sites dismantled, and over 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products recovered representing a significant degradation of criminal and terrorist operational capacity nationwide.”
According to him, the rescue of over 360 civilians from unlawful captivity, including the landmark multi-axis rescue at the Mandara Mountains, Gwoza LGA, Borno State on 6 June 2026, the neutralisation of numerous hostile elements, the systematic dismantling of insurgent and criminal logistics networks, the recovery of substantial caches of arms and ammunition, the interception of significant volumes of illicitly refined petroleum products, and the targeted decapitation of IPOB/ESN command structures collectively represent a period of exceptional operational achievement across all geopolitical zones.
All operations were conducted in strict adherence to International Humanitarian Law, constitutional rules of engagement, and the AFN’s fundamental mandate to protect the life, property, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said.
He added: “The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede commends the gallantry and discipline demonstrated by troops across all theatres during the period. He extends his heartfelt appreciation to the civilian communities, the Civilian Joint Task Forces, local vigilante groups, and all security agencies whose cooperation and invaluable intelligence contributions have been critical enablers of the successes reported herein.
“General Oluyede reassures the Nigerian public and the international community that the Defence Headquarters will sustain and intensify its operational tempo against all threats to national security until every theatre is stabilised, displaced persons are able to return to their homes, and every Nigerian can live in freedom, safety, and dignity.