Military Tightens Grip on Insurgents, Criminal Gangs with Coordinated Multi-Front Assaults, Arrests 1,359 Suspects in Q1 2026
By Fatima Saka
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded sweeping operational gains across all theatres of operation in the first quarter of 2026, neutralising top terrorist commanders, arresting over 1,300 suspects, and rescuing more than 800 kidnapped victims amid intensified nationwide offensives.
At a combined first quarter and monthly media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed that sustained military pressure significantly weakened insurgent and criminal networks across the North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East regions.
A major highlight of the operations was the confirmed killing of a senior ISWAP leader, Abu Yahya Al-Muhajir, described by the terrorist group as a “significant loss,” underscoring the impact of ongoing military strikes on its leadership structure.
In the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, troops carried out coordinated air and ground offensives that led to the elimination of several high-profile insurgents, including ring leaders in the Sambisa Forest. Within the quarter, 274 suspects were arrested, 168 kidnapped victims rescued, and 90 insurgents and their families surrendered. Troops also repelled multiple attacks and foiled attempts to infiltrate IDP camps, while disrupting logistics supply chains linked to terrorist groups.
Similarly, in the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the rescue of 386 kidnapped victims and the arrest of 114 suspects. Troops destroyed terrorist enclaves, intercepted logistics supplies, and foiled planned attacks across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
In the North Central region, operations under SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE led to the neutralisation of scores of terrorists, arrests of hundreds of suspects, and interception of explosive materials and illegal mining activities. Troops also responded swiftly to attacks on civilians, rescuing victims and restoring order in affected communities.
The South South theatre, under Operation DELTA SAFE, witnessed intensified crackdowns on oil theft and illegal refining, with 101 illegal sites dismantled and over 547,000 litres of stolen petroleum products recovered. Security forces also arrested 219 suspects linked to crude oil theft, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA targeted criminal elements linked to IPOB/ESN, resulting in the arrest of 91 suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and destruction of IEDs and illegal refining infrastructure. Troops also recorded the surrender of over 80 militants earlier in the year.
Overall, the AFN reported that in the first quarter, troops neutralised numerous terrorists, arrested 1,359 suspects, rescued 813 kidnapped civilians, and recovered 458 arms alongside 15,899 rounds of ammunition.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and professionalism, reaffirming the military’s commitment to intensifying operations in line with international humanitarian laws and rules of engagement.
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He also acknowledged the directive by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a special fund for veterans and personnel affected by war, describing it as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the welfare of service members.
The military urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing credible intelligence, stressing that collaboration with the public remains critical to sustaining operational successes and restoring lasting peace nationwide.
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