The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday disclosed that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) deployed to different parts of the country neutralised 201 terrorists across multiple engagements in the month of April.
The military high command also said troops rescued 188 abducted civilians including women, children, the elderly, orphans, farmers, and worshippers and restored them to their families.
Director Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, said troops arrested 284 key ring leaders, logisticians and collaborators who had hitherto operated with impunity.
He said the outcomes were not abstract achievements, saying “behind every rescued victim are a family made whole, and behind every destroyed enclave are a community reclaimed.”
According to him, across every geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, troops of the AFN executed precision kinetic strikes against insurgent and criminal formations, dismantled terrorist enclaves and logistical networks, and rescued scores of abducted civilians, restoring safety to communities that had endured the menace of terrorism, kidnapping, and armed violence.
Onoja also said troops of the joint task force North East Operation Hadin Kai “continued with unrelenting kinetic campaign against Boko Haram (BH), the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jamā’at Ahlis Sunnah Liddda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) elements across Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states, significantly curtailing terrorists’ freedom of movement through coordinated ambushes, fighting patrols, and both air and artillery fire.”
He said: “During the month, troops neutralized 136terrorists fighters, arrested 114 suspects, rescued 18 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 9 insurgents and their families.
“Significantly, on 1 April 2026, eight terrorists were neutralised in a coordinated ambush at the Gadangari axis, Bama LGA of Borno State, with no casualties recorded on the troops’ side. Clearance operations at the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro Forests dismantled multiple terrorist camps and led to the capture of a deputy ring leader and his wife.
“On 22 April 2026, nine captives including women and children who had escaped from terrorist captivity in the Mandara Mountains were rescued by troops, who subsequently repelled a determined enemy counterattack launched to recapture them.”
…Northwest, Niger Delta
Speaking on Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the Northwest, he said “troops delivered devastating and precise strikes against terrorist elements across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states throughout the period, systematically dismantling criminal networks and protecting communities from violent attacks.”
“During the month, troops neutralized 20 terrorists’ fighters, arrested 32 suspects, rescued 70 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of one insurgent,” he said.
Speaking further, he said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta intensified security operations across the South-South region, dismantling criminal networks, protecting communities, and rescuing abducted civilians with decisive force.
“During the month, troops arrested 17 suspects, destroyed 2 illegal refining sites, and recovered 101,443 litres of petroleum products such as crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil(AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) combined, “ he said.
…Moves to rescue abductees
The DHQ also assured Nigerians of imminent decisive action to rescue abducted citizens.
While dismissing claims of terrorists’ presence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it insisted that security agencies were fully on alert to neutralise any criminal threats.
On a viral video where bandits allegedly threatened to execute over 400 abducted Nigerians, Onoja said that high-level engagements were ongoing, expressing confidence that the military would act swiftly.
“For the sake of operational security, there are details we cannot fully divulge. However, intense meetings are ongoing to resolve the issue, and I believe in the next 12 hours, we are going to see some really decisive steps to rescue those affected,” he said.
On security within the FCT, he said: “There is no verifiable report of terrorist presence in the FCT. If we are talking about criminals, that is different, but all security agencies are on high alert. The FCT must remain secure, and all our formations have been tasked to ensure there is no threat whatsoever.”
He said the military was confronting not just kinetic threats but also a sophisticated campaign of misinformation and psychological manipulation.
“In this fourth-generation warfare, misinformation and disinformation are part of the enemy’s strategy. They aim to alter public perception and erode trust in the military. But we are fully aware of this and have scaled up our Information Operations,” Onoja said.
The DHQ spokesman said the establishment of dedicated structures such as the Directorate of Defence Information reflects a deliberate effort to counter false narratives and maintain credibility.
“Engagements like this briefing are part of proactive efforts to counter misinformation. We are re-strategising, and going into May, Nigerians will see increased engagement and more robust communication from the Armed Forces,” Onoja said.
On renewed focus of the military on civil-military relations as a critical component of its strategy, he said: “Beyond kinetic operations, we are strengthening civil-military cooperation. Our aim is to humanise our operations, build trust, and encourage communities to share intelligence that will help us act faster and more effectively.”
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Addressing concerns that communities sometimes experience delayed military response despite prior intelligence, Onoja said: “We have established channels for passing information. The issue is ensuring that such intelligence reaches the right authorities promptly. Verified information will always be acted upon.”
He urged citizens to utilise established channels and build trust with security agencies.
On international collaboration, Onoja clarified that “the United States does not have boots on the ground, but their support in training and intelligence has been significant. It has contributed to many of the gains recorded in recent weeks.
Death of NYSC member
Speaking on the controversial death of an NYSC member during a military operation in Abuja, Onoja said: “We have followed both the military report and the family’s account. There are gaps in the narratives, and we are engaging the family while conducting internal verification. Anyone found to have acted beyond their mandate will be held accountable.”