By Miriam Humbe
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Monday announced that no fewer than 555 terrorists were neutralized by troops since June 2026, with 324 of them being in the month of August alone.
Major General Michael Onoja, the Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO) disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on military operations for the month of August.
He announced that between June and August, 1, 209 terrorists were arrested across the country, 373 of them were apprehended in August alone.
General Onoja said: “During the month of August, the Armed Forces sustained a robust operational tempo across the various geopolitical zones.
“This was characterized by coordinated land, air, and maritime operations focused on degrading terrorists’ and criminal groups’ capabilities.
The operations were also occasioned by the rescue of abducted citizens, disrupting arms trafficking and logistics chains, countering secessionist and other armed criminal elements, as well as protecting critical national assets.
“Troops recorded notable successes across all geopolitical zones, while the Air Component maintained consistent combat support and reconnaissance to ground formations.
“The period also witnessed the surrender of terrorist fighters and family members, arrests of key collaborators and logistics facilitators, recovery of weapons and ammunition, disruption of illegal refining and crude-oil theft infrastructure, and strengthened collaboration with other security agencies and local security groups.
General Onoja said: “These outcomes reflect the AFN’s resolve to deny all terrorist and criminal elements freedom of action, protect communities and critical infrastructure, and consolidate conditions to ensure peace and stability across the country.”
General Onoja further disclosed that 686,800 litres of petroleum products were recovered by soldiers in August bringing the total for the quarter to 1.25m liters.
The Defence Spokesperson also said that a lot was done across the country in the area of sustaining Civil-Military relations in accordance with the vision of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oloyede, and assured that the Armed Forces was paying adequate attention the unfolding security challenges in Borgu, Niger State.
He said: “On the situation concerning residents displaced or abducted from communities in Borgu LGA of Niger State, the AFN remains deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of all affected persons and their families.
“The military formations have continued to collaborate with other security agencies and state government institutions within the spheres of intelligence sharing and identification of areas of concern that require attention.
“The recent rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on 5 August 2026, alongside subsequent operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement within the Borgu axis, demonstrates the commitment and capability of the security forces to locate, rescue and safely return affected citizens.
“Troops are also maintaining pressure on terrorist elements operating within and around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified corridors, while efforts are ongoing to prevent further incursions and create the security conditions necessary for the safe return and reintegration of displaced residents.
“The Armed Forces therefore reassures the people of Borgu and their communities that military operations against terrorists and criminals will be sustained in the LGA and its environs to ensure the safety of the communities.”
