The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Friday that the troops conducting internal operations across the country has eliminated 102 terrorists, arrested 345 suspected terrorists and rescued 393 kidnap victims in July 2026.
Major General Michael Onoja, the Director, Defense Media Operations, gave the figures while briefing journalists on the military’s achievements during the month, adding that 57 terrorists also surrendered to troops across the theatres of operation.
“Over 102 terrorists and criminals were neutralised this month, with 345 terrorists/criminals arrested and 393 kidnap victims rescued.
“Additionally, 57 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 59 arms and 1,811 rounds of ammunition were recovered,” Major General Onoja said.
According to him, similar successes were recorded in the fight against crude oil theft, which has continued to frustrate economic saboteurs.
“On the whole, the AFN has significantly degraded the capabilities of criminals and terrorists across the nation,” he said.
On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended the professionalism of troops across all theatres of operation for the successes recorded during the month of July.
According to him, the CDS specially commended troops of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the synergy that culminated in the safe rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers who were tragically abducted from schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo State on May 15.
“It is imperative to note once again that the rescue was achieved without any concession to the abductors, and no quarter shall be given to perpetrators of such heinous crimes going forward,” he insisted.
The Defence Chief again condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the course of the woeful incident, as well as the loved ones of officers and soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice during the period.
Oluyede reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to the protection of lives and property nationwide and its resolve to ensure that terrorism, kidnapping, secessionist agitation and other forms of criminality are purged from society.
The CDS reminded Nigerians that national security is a shared civic responsibility and urged the general public to continue providing timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193.
“You are assured that all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” he said.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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