Troops neutralise 129 terrorists, rescue 542 kidnap victims in June — DHQ

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FILE IMAGE

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— Arrest 486 suspects, dismantle seven illegal refineries

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By Kingsley Omonobi

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Wednesday said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 129 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 486 suspects and rescued 542 kidnapped victims during military operations conducted across the country in June 2026.

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The military also dismantled seven illegal refining sites, recovered 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products, seized 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition, while taking custody of 11 insurgents who surrendered during the period.

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Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja on military operations for June and the second quarter of 2026.

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According to him, the Armed Forces recorded significant operational successes nationwide during the second quarter of the year.

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“For the second quarter of 2026, the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 662 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,084 terrorist suspects and other criminals, rescued 951 kidnapped civilians and received the surrender of 39 insurgents,” Onoja said.

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He added that troops also dismantled 12 illegal refining sites, recovered 328 arms, 12,590 rounds of ammunition and more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products during the quarter.

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Onoja described the rescue of over 360 civilians from the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on June 6 as one of the military’s major achievements during the period.

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He said troops also dismantled insurgents’ logistics networks, recovered large caches of arms and ammunition, intercepted illicit petroleum products and targeted the command structures of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

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According to him, all operations were conducted in compliance with international humanitarian law, constitutional rules of engagement and the Armed Forces’ mandate to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

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North-East Operations

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Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 76 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects, rescued 465 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families during June.

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He said the June 6 operation in the Mandara Mountains led to the rescue of 360 civilians, mostly women and children abducted from Ngoshe community in March.

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Troops also rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight hijacked vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya Road, repelled terrorist attacks in Borno and Adamawa states, and arrested suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers.

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He disclosed that troops responded swiftly to the June 29 attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, rescuing seven pupils and a teacher.

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However, one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during the operation.

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North-West Operations

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In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 33 terrorists, arrested 165 suspects and rescued 51 kidnapped victims during the month.

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The operations covered parts of Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states, leading to the recovery of weapons, motorcycles, improvised explosive device components and military uniforms allegedly used by terrorists.

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Among those arrested were suspected terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers and a wanted kingpin apprehended while hiding among traders in Zamfara State.

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North-Central Operations

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Operations across the North-Central region led to the arrest of suspected terrorists, informants and kidnappers in Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states.

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Troops also rescued several kidnap victims and intercepted arms and ammunition intended for criminal groups.

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The military said several successful intelligence-led operations disrupted kidnapping and terrorist networks operating within the region.

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Air Operations

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The Nigerian Air Force conducted several air interdiction missions during the period.

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According to Onoja, air operations provided security cover following a technical fault on the Abuja-Kaduna train service and carried out precision strikes against terrorist camps in Kaduna and Niger states.

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He said the air strikes disrupted terrorist movements and prevented planned attacks on security personnel and communities.

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Niger Delta Operations

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In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised six criminal elements, arrested 53 suspects, dismantled seven illegal refining sites and recovered more than 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.

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Several suspected kidnappers were also arrested in Edo State, while illegal oil bunkering facilities and fuel dumps were destroyed in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.

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South-East Operations

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In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralised six criminal elements and arrested 39 suspected members and collaborators of IPOB and ESN.

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The operations led to the recovery of rifles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, explosives, ammunition and police uniforms allegedly used by the group.

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Troops also rescued kidnapped traditional rulers in Ebonyi State and arrested suspected logistics suppliers linked to the separatist group.

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Commending the troops, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, praised their gallantry and professionalism.

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He also appreciated civilian communities, the Civilian Joint Task Force, local vigilante groups and other security agencies for their cooperation and intelligence support.

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Oluyede assured Nigerians that the military would sustain its offensive against terrorists and other criminal groups until peace and security were fully restored across the country.

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He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies through the nearest military formation or the Defence Headquarters’ toll-free emergency line, 193.

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