By Matthew Denis
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) arrested at least 452 suspected terrorists and rescued 284 kidnapped victims during nationwide operations in January 2026.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed these figures during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, attributing the successes to the bravery and professionalism of the troops.
In addition to the arrests and rescues, General Onoja reported that 124 terrorists and their family members surrendered to the military.
The month’s operations also struck a significant blow against economic sabotage; troops recovered over 210,000 litres of crude oil and thousands of litres of various refined petroleum products.
Also, 53 illegal refining sites were destroyed across the Niger Delta.
Regional breakdowns highlighted the intensity of the month’s engagements:
North East (Operation HADIN KAI): Troops neutralized scores of terrorists and arrested 74 suspects across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. Forty kidnapped victims were rescued, while eight top commanders and lieutenants were killed in firefights.
Notably, 44 insurgents and their families surrendered to the state.
North West & North Central (Operation FANSAN YAMMA): Covering a vast area including Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna, troops rescued 100 hostages and apprehended 52 suspects. Operations in the Zamfara and Sokoto sectors led to the interception of arms caches from gunrunners and the recovery of stolen livestock and vehicles.
Plateau & Environs (Operation ENDURING PEACE): Responding to distress calls in Plateau and parts of Kaduna, the military arrested 86 criminals and rescued 24 victims following intense firefights with extremists.
Middle Belt (Operation WHIRL STROKE): Efforts across Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and the FCT resulted in the arrest of 58 terrorists and the rescue of 32 victims.
South East (Operation UDO KA): The military reported a drastic reduction in crime rates across the five southeastern states. During the month, 22 suspects were arrested, and 11 victims were freed. Additionally, 80 militants surrendered, and eight Cameroonian nationals were rescued during patrols along the Bakassi waterways.
Niger Delta (Operation DELTA SAFE): Focusing on maritime security and oil theft, troops arrested 81 criminals and foiled the theft of massive quantities of crude oil and gas oil.
General Onoja reiterated the AFN’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
Invoking the Chief of Defence Staff’s mantra, “See Something, Say Something,” the military urged stakeholders and local communities to continue providing timely information to support ongoing operations.