The Defence Headquarters has announced significant gains in ongoing counterterrorism operations across the country, revealing that no fewer than 216 terrorists were killed and 284 suspects arrested in April 2026.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, during a briefing on the Armed Forces’ monthly activities in Abuja.
According to Onoja, troops also rescued 188 kidnapped victims within the period, including women, children, farmers, and worshippers, while dismantling several terrorist enclaves and criminal hideouts.
He noted that military operations led to the destruction of insurgent camps, improvised explosive device (IED) facilities, and illegal arms production sites, alongside the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition.
Providing a regional breakdown, Onoja stated that in the North-East, troops recorded the highest impact, eliminating 136 terrorists, arresting 144 suspects, and rescuing 18 victims, while nine insurgents surrendered.
Operations in the North-West saw 24 terrorists neutralised, 32 suspects apprehended, and 70 kidnapped victims freed. In the North-Central, troops under Operation Savannah Shield killed 21 terrorists, arrested 17 suspects, and rescued 10 victims.
Similarly, Operation Enduring Peace accounted for 18 terrorists killed, 48 arrests, and 53 rescues, while Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 14 terrorists neutralised, 40 suspects arrested, and 35 victims freed.
In the South-South, troops under Operation Delta Safe arrested 17 suspects, dismantled two illegal refining sites, and recovered over 100,000 litres of petroleum products.
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Meanwhile, operations in the South-East under Operation Udo Ka led to the killing of three terrorists, the arrest of 16 suspects, and the rescue of two victims.
Onoja stressed that the achievements go beyond numbers, highlighting the human impact of the operations.
He stated that each rescued victim represents a restored family, while every destroyed criminal enclave signifies a reclaimed community.
He further assured Nigerians of the military’s commitment to professionalism and accountability, noting that all operations are conducted in line with established rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.
The military also called on citizens to continue supporting security efforts by providing credible intelligence, while urging the media to promote responsible reporting that strengthens national security and counters misinformation.