The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that Nigerian troops have killed several terrorists, arrested over 270 suspects and rescued at least 230 kidnapped victims during sustained military operations in the northern parts of the country in January 2026.
The Director of Defense Media Operations, Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, adding that the successes were recorded through coordinated ground and air strikes aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks and restoring security to the affected communities.
Onoja said troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with the air component, hybrid forces and local security groups, conducted a massive operation against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jamaat Ahl al-Sunna (JAS) in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
According to him, between January 1 and January 29, troops killed several terrorists, arrested 74 suspects and rescued 40 kidnapped victims in the north-east theatre.
He said that during this period 44 terrorists and their family members surrendered before the troops, while five top commanders and three lieutenants were killed during the intense gunbattle.
The director said the operation covered several flashpoints, including Gwoza, Damboa, Mobar, Askira Uba and Konduga local government areas of Borno State, Michika LGA of Adamawa State and Damaturu LGA of Yobe State.
He revealed that two notorious terrorist commanders, identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, were killed by troops in Mandara Mountains on January 22, adding that a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter.
Onoja said the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, working with the Nigerian Army Aviation, conducted precision air strikes on identified terrorist targets, including a newly discovered hideout in Northern Tumbans.
He said dozens of ISWAP fighters were also killed during air and ground operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, including a senior commander known as Quaid and his lieutenant Munzir.
Onoja said troops under Operation Fansan Yamma carried out offensive operations in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi and Kwara states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, in parts of the North-West and North-Central.
He said several terrorists were killed during the operation, while 52 suspects were arrested and 100 kidnapped victims were rescued.
The troops also recovered arms, ammunition, vehicles and wild animals from the fleeing criminals.
According to him, the Air Component provided close air support during clearance operations in Chukuba village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, resulting in the death of several terrorists.
Onoja further said that troops of the Joint Task Force in North-Central operating under Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke recorded additional successes in Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara and Niger states.
He said troops in Plateau State and parts of Kaduna killed dozens of militants, arrested 86 criminal suspects and rescued 24 kidnapped victims.
He said notorious kidnap kingpin, Amadu Adamu, was arrested in Jamada Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
DHQ further said that between January 1 and January 29, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested 58 criminals and rescued 32 kidnapped victims in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and surrounding areas, recovering arms and ammunition in the process.
Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to maintain pressure on terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, stressing that the military will continue to work closely with other security agencies and local communities to achieve lasting peace and stability in the affected areas.
