By Anthony Fabian
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have arrested more than 450 terrorists and other criminal suspects in operations conducted across the country in January 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, stated this during the military’s monthly media briefing in Abuja.
He said the successes were recorded under six theatre operations, Operation Hadin Kai in the North East; Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West; Operation Whirl Stroke and Operation Enduring Peace in the North Central; Operation Udoka in the South East; and Operation Delta Safe in the South South.
According to Major General Onoja, troops also neutralised several terrorists, rescued about 280 kidnapped victims, and destroyed 53 illegal refining sites during the period under review.
He added that 44 terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops, while 80 militants laid down their arms. Eight Cameroonian nationals were also rescued along the Bakassi waterways.
The military further recovered large caches of arms and ammunition, vehicles and rustled livestock.
Major General Onoja reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting lives, property and critical national assets, assuring that pressure would be sustained on criminal elements through enhanced inter-agency collaboration and community support.
