By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) said its troops recorded major operational gains across the country in June and throughout the second quarter of 2026, neutralising hundreds of terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims, arresting suspected criminals and dismantling terrorist and criminal networks in multiple theatres of operation.

Speaking during the Defence Headquarters Monthly/Second Quarter Media Briefing, military authorities said the successes were achieved through coordinated land and air operations, intelligence-led missions, counter-terrorism offensives and anti-crime operations targeting Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), kidnappers, oil thieves and arms traffickers.

According to the briefing, troops across all operational theatres neutralised 724 terrorists, arrested 885 suspects, rescued 931 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 39 insurgents and their family members during the second quarter of 2026.

In the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai, troops sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. During June alone, 76 terrorists were killed, 97 arrested, 465 kidnapped victims rescued and 11 insurgents surrendered.

One of the operation’s major breakthroughs came on June 6, when troops conducted a multi-axis raid in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, rescuing 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been held captive since their abduction from Ngoshe community in March.

Troops also rescued 53 civilians and recovered eight hijacked vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya road, repelled attacks in Borno and Adamawa states, arrested terrorist collaborators and rescued seven schoolchildren and a teacher following an attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira Uba Local Government Area. The military, however, disclosed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed during the rescue operation.

During the second quarter, Operation Hadin Kai recorded the neutralisation of 484 terrorists, the arrest of 370 suspects, the rescue of 595 kidnapped victims and the surrender of 38 insurgents and their families.

In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma recorded the neutralisation of 77 terrorists, the arrest of 210 suspects and the rescue of 153 kidnapped victims during the quarter.

The military said troops conducted successful operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states, recovering machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, ammunition, motorcycles and military uniforms allegedly used by criminals to impersonate security personnel.

Security forces also arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin hiding among traders in Shinkafi, intercepted over 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed in a sack of millet and arrested suspected terrorist collaborators, including three suspects linked to terrorist activities during the processing of a pilgrim flight at Gusau International Airport.

Under Operation Savannah Shield, covering parts of the North-Central, troops arrested 48 suspected terrorists and rescued 38 kidnapped victims during the quarter. Security forces also arrested suspected informants, the wife of a wanted terrorist kingpin and several suspects linked to planned kidnappings and terrorist activities across Niger, Kwara and Oyo states.

Operation Enduring Peace, operating in Southern Kaduna and Plateau State, recorded the neutralisation of 32 terrorists, the arrest of 171 suspects and the rescue of 86 kidnapped victims during the quarter. Troops carried out several rescue operations along major highways, recovered weapons and arrested suspected kidnappers, informants and a dismissed police inspector allegedly found with illegal firearms and ammunition.

Meanwhile, Operation Whirl Stroke, covering Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, neutralised 27 terrorists, arrested 86 suspects and rescued 59 kidnapped victims during the second quarter.

The military said troops intercepted weapons being transported into Kogi State, rescued kidnapped passengers and arrested suspected terrorist informants, while also disrupting criminal networks operating across the region.

In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe intensified operations against kidnappers, crude oil thieves and illegal refiners across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states.

During June, troops neutralised six suspected criminals, arrested 53 suspects, dismantled seven illegal refining sites and recovered more than 308,000 litres of petroleum products. Several suspected kidnapping syndicates operating in Edo and Cross River states were also dismantled, while kidnapped victims were rescued during separate operations.

The Defence Headquarters said the cumulative operational achievements reflected the Armed Forces’ continued commitment to restoring peace, enhancing national security and disrupting terrorist and criminal networks across the country. It added that troops would sustain ongoing operations to consolidate recent gains and respond to evolving security threats nationwide.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo has commended Ekinri-Ade Community in Ijumu Local Government Area for its relentless efforts to continue to embark on Self-Help Projects that would impact on lives of the people.

The Governor gave the commendation while speaking at this year’s Ekinri-Ade Community Day celebration, held in the area, over the weekend, to Advance and showcase its development  and cultural heritage.

Ododo who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Joel Oyibo at the event, noted that the launch of N750 million development projects is a welcome commitment of the people of the community to build a better future through collective action.

The Governor stressed the need for rural communities to complement government’s efforts in the provision of basic necessities of lives and urged other communities across the state to emulate the spirit demonstrated by Ekinri-Ade in this direction.

“My administration will continue to remain committed towards the development of Kogi State, both in the urban and rural communities to boost the living conditions of citizens. We have invested heavily on road, education, agriculture, and other basic infrastructure to improve on the living standard of the people”

He said that the celebration has actually championed the promotion of the People’s history, their vibrant culture, identity, and heritage over the years.

Ododo also called on the people of the area to continue to embrace peace, unity, hardwork, and love for one another which had facilitated their development efforts.

The Governor lauded President Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope development initiative which he said had impacted on lives of Nigerians across the country.

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Ibrahim Haruna who also spoke on behalf of the Chairman of the event, Engr. Olusoji Otitoju, said that the annual ceremony is put in place to mobilize for community Self-Help development and promotion of the People’s cultural heritage.

According to him “The people of Ekinri-Ade Community is determined to improve the quality of life in the area. We as community will continue to embark on partnership that would attract development”

He praised Governor Usman Ododo for his efforts to secure the lives and property of Ekinri-Ade people in the wake of the rising insecurity in Okunland.

He urged the people to be security conscious and always be ready to provide information that would assist security operatives track criminals, bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists.

Haruna admonished youths in the area to focus on ventures that would provide self-employment for them as White Collar jobs are no longer available.

Governor of Ekiti state, Abiodun Oyebanji, and that of his Boronu counterpart, Babagana Zulum sent representatives to grace the occasion

Governor Zulum of Boronu state donated N50 million  towards the launch of N750 million for execution of Self-Help Projects in Ekinri-Ade Community.

The Governors through their representatives in separate speeches urged indigenes of Ekinri-Ade Community to join hands in contributing to the development of their father land.

They also appealed to the community to make judicious use of the funds raised for the purpose intended.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted prohibited imported goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N273 million in Cross River State, as part of efforts to protect local manufacturers, preserve jobs and curb smuggling.

The Customs Area Controller, Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Giwa Dauda, disclosed this during a press briefing in Calabar on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Dauda said the seizures were part of the Command’s sustained operations against smuggling and illegal importation, which he said pose serious threats to Nigerian industries and the wider economy.

He said officers intercepted two 20-foot containers containing 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani–Calabar Highway on June 14, 2026.

According to him, the vegetable oil, with a DPV of N195.5 million, was concealed in a truck intercepted during a routine patrol operation.

The Area Controller said vegetable oil is one of the sectors in which Nigerian manufacturers have made substantial investments, adding that the importation of prohibited foreign products could weaken local production capacity, discourage investment and threaten jobs in the agricultural and manufacturing value chains.

“These products are listed under the Federal Government’s import prohibition policy, which seeks to stimulate local production, promote self-sufficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base,” Dauda said.

He added that the Command also intercepted 1,500 used tyres and 105 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing.

Dauda said the total DPV of the prohibited goods, including other seizures made by the Command, stood at N273.7 million.

The Controller further disclosed that officers intercepted 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bringing the total volume of petrol seized by the Command in 2026 to 5,760 litres.

He said the petrol was disposed of in line with approved safety procedures because of its highly combustible nature.

Dauda warned smugglers and economic saboteurs to desist from illegal importation, noting that smuggling weakens local industries, distorts market competition and undermines government efforts to diversify the economy through industrialisation.