The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) say troops arrested 452 suspected terrorists and criminals and rescued 284 kidnapped victims across the country in January 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly briefing on ongoing military operations.
Onoja said 124 terrorists and their family members also surrendered to troops, while several others were neutralised in sustained offensives across all theatres of operation.
He added that troops disrupted oil theft activities, recovering 210,300 litres of crude oil, 66,725 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 660 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, while 53 illegal refining sites were destroyed.
In the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, Onoja said troops neutralised scores of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, arrested 74 suspects and rescued 40 victims. He noted that five top terrorist commanders and three lieutenants were killed during firefights, while 44 terrorists and their families surrendered.
Operations in the North West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA led to the arrest of 52 suspects and rescue of 100 kidnapped victims across Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and parts of the FCT.
In the North Central, troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE arrested over 140 suspects, rescued dozens of victims and apprehended a wanted kidnap kingpin, Amadu Adamu, in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE recorded the arrest of 81 oil thieves and destruction of 53 illegal refining sites, while troops recovered stolen petroleum products and weapons in Akwa Ibom and Delta States.
Meanwhile, in the South East, Operation UDO KA witnessed the surrender of over 80 militants, arrest of 22 suspects and rescue of 11 kidnapped victims. Eight Cameroonian nationals were also rescued during cross-border patrols.
Onoja said the Armed Forces remained committed to safeguarding lives and property, urging Nigerians to continue providing timely information to security agencies.
He also thanked the media and citizens for their support, stressing that sustained operations and community cooperation would help achieve lasting peace and stability.
Comment:*
Nickname*
E-mail*
Website
