Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has announced major gains in ongoing military operations across the country, saying troops killed 216 terrorists, arrested 284 suspects, and rescued 188 kidnapped victims in different parts of the country during April 2026.
The update was given on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, while briefing journalists on the monthly operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to him, the operations also led to the destruction of several terrorist camps and criminal hideouts, as well as the recovery of large quantities of arms and ammunition used by criminal groups.
He explained that the military intensified operations across all regions of the country, targeting terrorist groups, kidnappers, armed bandits, and other criminal networks threatening national security.
“During this period, the Armed Forces neutralised over 200 terrorists in multiple engagements, rescued 188 abducted civilians—including women, children, the elderly, farmers, and worshippers—and restored them to their families,” Onoja said.
“Troops also stormed and destroyed terrorist camps, IED-laden hideouts, and illegal arms production facilities, while arresting 284 key ring leaders, logisticians, and collaborators,” he added.
The Defence Headquarters said the operations were carried out under different military missions across the country, with each zone recording varying levels of success depending on the security situation.
In the North-East, which has been one of the worst-hit regions in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, troops killed 136 terrorists, arrested 144 suspects, and rescued 18 victims. The military also reported that nine insurgents surrendered to troops during the period.
The North-East has long been the epicentre of Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, with armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) carrying out attacks over the years. The military has continued sustained operations in the region to reclaim territory and restore normal life.
In the North-West, another region heavily affected by banditry and kidnapping, troops neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 32 suspects, and rescued 70 victims. One terrorist reportedly surrendered during the operations.
The North-West has faced increasing insecurity in recent years, with armed groups carrying out attacks on rural communities, abducting residents, and disrupting farming activities. Military operations in the region have focused on dismantling bandit camps and rescuing kidnapped victims.
In the North-Central region, troops under Operation Savannah Shield killed 21 terrorists, arrested 17 suspects, and rescued 10 kidnapped victims.
Similarly, under Operation Enduring Peace, troops killed 18 terrorists, arrested 48 suspects, and rescued 53 kidnapped persons. Operation Whirl Stroke also recorded 14 terrorists killed, 40 suspects arrested, and 35 victims rescued.
These operations are part of ongoing efforts to address long-standing security challenges in central Nigeria, where communal clashes, banditry, and kidnapping have affected several states.
In the South-South region, troops under Operation Delta Safe arrested 17 suspects and dismantled two illegal refining sites. They also recovered 101,443 litres of petroleum products believed to have been stolen from oil facilities.
The South-South region, which is Nigeria’s main oil-producing area, has continued to battle crude oil theft, illegal refining, and pipeline vandalism. Security operations in the region often focus on protecting oil infrastructure and preventing economic sabotage.
In the South-East, troops under Operation Udo Ka killed three terrorists, arrested 16 suspects, and rescued two kidnapped victims. The region has experienced sporadic attacks in recent years, with security agencies stepping up efforts to restore stability.
Maj. Gen. Onoja said the results recorded across the country show the determination of the Armed Forces to restore peace and security.
He noted that beyond the numbers, each operation has human significance, especially for families whose loved ones were rescued from captivity.
“Behind every rescued victim is a family made whole, and behind every destroyed enclave is a community reclaimed,” he said.
He added that the military remains committed to carrying out its duties in line with professional standards, rules of engagement, and international humanitarian law.
According to him, all operations are guided by respect for human rights and efforts to minimize harm to civilians.
“The Chief of Defence Staff assures every Nigerian that all communities are considered important to the Armed Forces’ protection, and no criminal or terrorist organisation, regardless of its financial resources, geographic spread, or ideological ambition, is beyond the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said.
Nigeria has continued to face multiple security challenges, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, separatist-related violence in the South-East, and oil theft in the South-South.
The government and security agencies have consistently promised to improve coordination, increase troop deployment, and strengthen intelligence gathering to tackle the threats.
In recent years, the military has combined ground operations with airstrikes and intelligence-led missions to weaken criminal networks. While officials say progress has been made, insecurity remains a major concern for citizens across different parts of the country.
Farmers in some rural areas have been able to return to their lands following military clearance operations, but sporadic attacks continue to affect some communities, especially in remote locations.
As operations continue, the Defence Headquarters says it remains focused on protecting lives and property, and restoring normalcy in affected areas.
For many Nigerians, especially those in conflict-prone regions, the hope is that ongoing military efforts will eventually translate into lasting stability and allow displaced families to return home safely.
The April report, according to the military, reflects both the scale of the challenge and the progress being made in addressing insecurity across the country.