Odita Sunday 
…DHQ says intelligence-led operations now targeting collaborators, financiers, logistics chains
By Odita Sunday
Nigeria’s military has signalled a major shift in its counter-insurgency and anti-crime strategy, with security operations increasingly targeting the networks sustaining terrorism and criminality rather than focusing solely on battlefield eliminations.
The new approach yielded the arrest of 1,084 suspected terrorists, collaborators and criminal facilitators nationwide in the second quarter of 2026 significantly higher than the 662 terrorists and criminal elements neutralised within the same period.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), which disclosed the figures on Wednesday in Abuja, said the arrests reflect a deliberate operational transition designed to weaken criminal organisations by disrupting their intelligence channels, funding structures, logistics chains and recruitment systems.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, told journalists that the Armed Forces recorded broad operational successes across all theatres through sustained joint missions, close air support and intelligence-driven engagements.
He explained that operations during the quarter focused on dismantling support systems linked to Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), kidnapping syndicates, arms traffickers and oil theft cartels.
According to him, the military’s evolving strategy has produced wider security outcomes beyond direct combat.
The figures released by DHQ showed that troops also rescued 951 kidnapped victims nationwide during the period under review.
In the North-East, troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai recorded the highest activity level, killing 484 terrorists, arresting 370 suspects and rescuing 595 victims of abduction.
The military also reported the surrender of 38 insurgents and family members, alongside a major rescue operation in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State where 360 civilians mostly women and children were freed.
North-West operations under Operation Fansan Yamma led to the elimination of 77 terrorists, the arrest of 210 suspects and the rescue of 153 kidnapped persons, while several arms traffickers and logistics suppliers were intercepted.
In the North-Central region, Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke targeted criminal infrastructure and recorded 83 terrorists killed, 305 suspects arrested and 183 victims rescued.
Military authorities said several operations deliberately focused on disrupting criminal ecosystems by targeting informants, kidnappers’ collaborators and illegal arms movements.
The South-East theatre under Operation Udo Ka recorded 12 terrorists neutralised and 115 arrests, while troops recovered weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices during targeted operations.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe maintained pressure on economic sabotage, dismantling 12 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Major General Onoja said the Armed Forces remain committed to consolidating gains through sustained counter-terrorism, anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping and anti-oil theft operations.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely intelligence to strengthen ongoing efforts to restore security nationwide.
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