Military Records Major Gains As 484 Terrorists Neutralised, 595 Kidnap Victims Rescued

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been commended for sustaining military operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups across the country.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Peace Advocates Network (PAN), in a statement signed by Dr Charles Kazayet on Friday, said recent operational figures indicated that troops were making progress in tackling security threats across different parts of Nigeria.

The group particularly highlighted the activities of troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, where military personnel have continued operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and their logistics networks.

PAN said troops operating in the region neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects and rescued 595 kidnapped victims during the second quarter of 2026. It added that 38 insurgents and their family members also surrendered during the period, while more than 360 civilians, mostly women and children, were rescued from the Mandara Mountains in Borno State in June.

The group also noted that Operation Fansan Yamma had maintained offensive operations against bandits and kidnappers across Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states in the North-West.

According to PAN, military operations in the North-Central have similarly focused on criminal groups while efforts have continued to secure vulnerable communities and major routes.

In the South-East, the group said troops had sustained operations against kidnappers, armed criminal groups and secessionist elements. It added that military activities in the South-South had remained focused on oil theft, illegal refining and other criminal activities affecting the nation’s economy.

Citing figures from Defence Headquarters, PAN stated that troops dismantled 18 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products in the South-South in July. During the same period, Operation Udo Ka in the South-East reportedly led to the arrest of 26 suspects, the rescue of 10 civilians and the recovery of weapons and other logistics.

Kazayet said the reported gains should encourage Nigerians to view national security as a collective responsibility rather than an issue solely for the military.

“The Peace Advocates Network recognises the sacrifices being made by officers and soldiers across the different theatres of operation. From the North-East to the North-West, North-Central, South-East and South-South, our troops are confronting different forms of threats under difficult circumstances,” the statement said.

The group added that the reported arrests, rescues, recovery of weapons, disruption of criminal networks and destruction of illegal refining sites showed that the Armed Forces were maintaining pressure on groups threatening the country’s security.

PAN also commended General Olufemi Oluyede and military commanders and personnel serving across the various operational theatres for their commitment to national security.

The organisation urged the military leadership to sustain joint operations, intelligence gathering and cooperation with other security agencies, while calling for improved equipment and continued support for security personnel.

The group further appealed to politicians and citizens to avoid actions or statements capable of undermining security operations, stressing the importance of cooperation between communities and security agencies.

PAN urged Nigerians to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, support security personnel and avoid offering shelter or legitimacy to criminal elements.