Troops conducting operations across various theatres recorded significant gains in the first two weeks of January 2026, neutralising a notable insurgent leader in Borno, arresting the wife of another in Taraba, and successfully defusing an explosive in Niger State.

Also, during the period, troops arrested 127 terrorists, including their informants and suppliers, and rescued 104 kidnapped victims across all theatres.

Speaking on the troops’ performance in the period on Monday, the Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said that “Battle Damage Assessment” revealed that a well-known terrorist leader, Munzir (otherwise known as Baa Yanziye), was neutralised alongside many others during the airstrikes in the Damboa general area of Borno State.

Onoja said the airstrikes were conducted between January 1 and 3, 2026, at Abirma, Chiralia, and Guva in the Timbuktu Triangle, as well as Garin Mallam Iddirisa and Garin Abu Ayuba in the general area of Damboa, Nduva.

He said the wife of the notorious extremist John Gata was arrested in Takum LGA of Taraba State.

“Following interrogation, the suspect led troops to the terrorists’ armoury in Amadu Village, where 13 AK-47 rifles, 38 AK-47 magazines, over 690 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and 36 hand grenades were recovered.”

On the diffusion of an explosive, Onoja said that, following human intelligence reports of the crash of an armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) on farmland in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, troops moved to the “scene and successfully diffused the manned explosive before evacuation”.

“Overall, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, Rocket-Propelled Guns (RPG) tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making materials. Also, caches of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered,” Onoja said.

As usual, in the South South, the DMO said troops thwarted oil theft valued at over N53 million.

“The breakdown indicates 63,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 19,300 litres of AGO. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 20 illegal refining sites and arrested 31 oil thieves and other criminals, while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.”

Onoja assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained committed to denying terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements freedom of action in the country.

He said the successes of ongoing operations are a testament to the determination and resilience of troops, who continue to work tirelessly to secure the nation.

“The Defence Headquarters commends the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved in all operations and assures Nigerians of its continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” he said. (The Guardian)