Sustained Operations Nationwide Weakened Terrorists Leading To Arrests – Army

Nigeria’s military says sustained ground and air operations across the country have weakened terrorist and criminal networks, leading to multiple arrests, rescues and militant surrenders in January 2026.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who this during a monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations nationwide said troops neutralised several terrorists, arrested 452 suspected criminals and rescued 284 kidnapped victims during the period under review.

He added that 124 terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops, describing the development as a reflection of sustained military pressure across all theatres of operation.

Major General Onoja explained that in the North East, troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI intensified operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS elements across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

The operations, supported by air interdiction missions, led to the neutralisation of senior terrorist commanders, arrests of suspects and the rescue of kidnapped victims.

He further noted that operations in the North West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded successes across several states, with terrorists neutralised, suspected collaborators arrested and kidnapped victims rescued, while the Air Component also provided close air support to ground troops during clearance operations in Niger State.

The Director revealed that in the North Central region, troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE conducted offensive operations across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory, leading to arrests, rescues and the recovery of arms and ammunition with a wanted kidnap kingpin arrested in Kaduna State.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the South-South disrupted oil theft and illegal refining activities, recovering over 210,000 litres of stolen crude oil and destroying 53 illegal refining sites. Several suspects were arrested during the operations.

In the South East, Operation UDO KA recorded arrests, rescues and the surrender of over 80 militants, while eight Cameroonian nationals were rescued during cross-border patrols along the Bakassi waterways.

Major General Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity, while urging Nigerians to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information under the “See Something, Say Something” initiative.

Aisha Adesanya, Edited By Grace Namiji