Security Agencies Kill 1,597 Terrorists, Rescue 1,516 Hostages In Six Months—AFN

Security and law enforcement agencies in Nigeria on Thursday announced that coordinated operations across the country resulted in the neutralisation of 1,597 terrorists and insurgents, the rescue of 1,516 kidnapped victims, and the arrest of thousands of criminal suspects during the first half of 2026.

The achievements were unveiled on Thursday during a Joint Security Press Briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, where the agencies presented a six-month review of operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime and other security threats.

According to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), troops conducted 14,221 operations between January and June across all theatres of operation.

The operations also led to the recovery of 451 firearms, 16,726 rounds of ammunition and 161 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other explosives.

The military said troops rescued 261 kidnapped victims from terrorist enclaves, killed 412 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters, arrested 332 terrorists and compelled 132 insurgents to surrender during the period.

“The successes recorded during the period underscore the effectiveness of joint military operations, inter-agency collaboration and the invaluable support of citizens,” the Armed Forces said.

The AFN said the Police force also reported significant operational successes. It said intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of 50 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery, while a 33-member criminal network operating in Kwara State was dismantled.

Police also intercepted 181 rounds of ammunition along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and recovered vandalised railway materials valued at about ₦400 million.

Similarly, the Department of State Services (DSS) disclosed that joint operations with sister agencies rescued well over 200 kidnapped victims, recovered more than 13,500 rounds of ammunition and dozens of firearms, while several terrorism and kidnapping suspects were successfully prosecuted.

The federal government also announced that its terrorism Mass Trial Programme has secured 1,721 convictions since 2017. Of the figure, 865 convictions were recorded in 2026 alone, representing more than half of all convictions under the programme.