By Omoyeni Ojeifo
He said troops also recovered 328 arms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites, and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products during operations across the country.
“The operational record for the month of June as well as the second quarter of 2026 stands as compelling testimony to the sustained professionalism, operational excellence and unwavering resolve of troops across all operational theatres,” Onoja said.
One of the most significant operations took place in the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on June 6, 2026, when troops launched a coordinated multi-axis assault on terrorist hideouts.
The operation rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been abducted from Ngoshe community on March 3, 2026, and were evacuated to the General Hospital, Gwoza, for medical treatment.
Troops also repelled an attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State on June 29, 2026, rescuing seven pupils and a teacher.
The operation prevented what officials described as a potential mass casualty incident, although one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during the encounter.
“The rescue of over 360 civilians from unlawful captivity, including the landmark multi-axis rescue at the Mandara Mountains, represents a period of exceptional operational achievement,” Onoja said.
In the South-East, troops intensified operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), dismantling command structures and disrupting logistics networks.
Suspected IPOB/ESN commander Chima Ejiofor Emmanuel, alias “Moroco,” was arrested in Imo State on June 9, 2026.
Subsequent operations in Enugu and Anambra States led to the recovery of a General Purpose Machine Gun, an RPG-7 launcher, 11 AK-47 rifles, grenades, improvised explosive devices, magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
The Defence Headquarters said the operations disrupted planned attacks and weakened the group’s operational capacity.
“The targeted decapitation of IPOB/ESN command structures, alongside the systematic dismantling of insurgent and criminal logistics networks, collectively represent a period of exceptional operational achievement across all geopolitical zones,” Onoja said.
The Nigerian Air Force also conducted air interdiction missions during the period, tracking and neutralising armed groups in Kaduna and Niger States.
Air assets struck terrorist hideouts in Kidandan, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State on June 19, 2026, neutralising several fighters.
A follow-up operation in the same general area on June 22, 2026, neutralised additional armed fighters on motorcycles.
On June 29, 2026, coordinated airstrikes targeted a large terrorist convergence in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State and intercepted armed men heading towards Kamuku Forest in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Military authorities said the strikes disrupted movement corridors and foiled planned reprisal attacks.
“Both operations were executed following positive target identification and in full compliance with extant Rules of Engagement and the Law of Armed Conflict, reinforcing the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s resolve to sustain offensive operations until lasting peace is restored,” Onoja said.
Across other theatres, troops continued coordinated operations against kidnappers, bandits, oil thieves and arms traffickers, recording further arrests, rescues and destruction of criminal infrastructure between April and June 2026.
The Defence Headquarters said these operations collectively weakened criminal networks, blocked supply routes and improved security across the country.
Onoja said the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational tempo until all theatres are stabilised and displaced persons safely return to their communities.
He urged Nigerians to continue providing timely and credible intelligence through the military’s toll-free line, 193, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
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