The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops killed about 224 terrorists, arrested over 423 suspects and rescued 279 kidnap victims during coordinated military operations across various theatres in the second quarter of 2026.

The defence spokesperson, Michael Onoja, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s second-quarter briefing.

Mr Onoja said the successes were recorded through sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led raids, anti-kidnapping missions and arms interdiction carried out under Operation Fansan Yamma, Operation Savannah Shield, Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke.

According to him, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states killed 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects, rescued 153 kidnap victims and facilitated the surrender of one terrorist during the quarter.

He said troops also recovered several weapons, including PKT machine guns, AK-47 rifles, an RPG launcher tube, improvised explosive device chargers, motorcycles and large quantities of ammunition.

Mr Onoja added that troops arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin disguised as a trader at Shinkafi Market and intercepted more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed in a vehicle along the Gusau-Shinkafi Road.

He noted that intelligence-led operations also led to the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators at Gusau International Airport and the interception of logistics suppliers transporting 69 jerry cans of fuel intended for terrorists.

According to him, troops of Operation Savannah Shield eliminated 24 terrorists, arrested 48 suspects and rescued eight kidnap victims during the quarter.

He said the operation disrupted terrorist networks across Niger, Kwara, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory through targeted patrols, ambushes and intelligence-driven operations.

Mr Onoja added that troops also arrested informants and relatives of notorious terrorist leaders whose interrogation yielded valuable intelligence for ongoing operations.

He said troops of Operation Enduring Peace, operating in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State, killed terrorists, arrested suspected kidnappers and rescued victims in several operations along major transit corridors.

According to him, the troops intercepted suspected kidnappers, recovered arms and ammunition, and arrested a dismissed police inspector found in possession of illegally acquired firearms and ammunition.

Mr Onoja further said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states killed 37 terrorists, arrested 86 suspects and rescued 59 kidnap victims during the quarter.

He said the troops also disrupted illegal arms supply networks by intercepting weapons, explosives and ammunition meant for criminal groups, while several suspected kidnappers and terrorist informants were apprehended.

Mr Onoja said troops operating in the South-South and parts of the South-East intensified operations against kidnappers, economic saboteurs and illegal oil refining syndicates.

He said the operations resulted in the killing of six criminals, the arrest of 53 suspects, the dismantling of seven illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.

He added that several kidnapping syndicates were dismantled in Edo and Cross River states, while kidnap victims were rescued during coordinated operations.