The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued its July operational infographic, revealing that troops killed more than 102 individuals described as terrorists, criminals, illegal miners and informants during the month. The military also arrested 486 suspects and rescued 393 kidnapped victims, according to the DHQ report released on Thursday.
The infographic further stated that 57 insurgents laid down their arms and surrendered to troops. As part of operations targeting oil theft and economic sabotage, especially in the Niger Delta, security forces destroyed 18 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 250,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products. Additionally, troops confiscated 1,870 weapons, ammunition and other military supplies from non-state armed groups.
July operational highlights
- More than 102 terrorists, criminals, illegal miners and informants killed
- 486 suspects arrested
- 393 kidnapped victims rescued
- 57 insurgents surrendered
- 18 illegal refining sites destroyed
- Over 250,500 litres of illegally refined petroleum products recovered
- 1,870 weapons, ammunition and military supplies recovered
The DHQ began publishing monthly operational infographics earlier this year as part of its routine public reporting. Summaries have been released for January, February, March, May, June and July, but no infographic was produced for April, leaving a notable gap in the series.
No regional breakdown provided
The latest infographic does not indicate where the operations occurred or which regions accounted for the arrests, recoveries and rescues. It also does not classify the suspects beyond the broad categories of terrorists, criminals, illegal miners and informants. The military has maintained that its sustained offensives under various operations across the country are intended to degrade the operational capabilities of insurgents, armed bandits, oil thieves and other criminal networks.
Security landscape
Nigeria is grappling with multiple security threats: the Boko Haram insurgency and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks in the North-east, armed banditry in the North-west, kidnapping for ransom in many states, separatist violence in parts of the South-east, and chronic oil theft in the Niger Delta. The armed forces have recently intensified coordinated land and air operations, frequently announcing the killing or capture of suspects, rescue of abductees, and recovery of weapons. However, independent verification of military casualty figures is difficult due to the remote and often inaccessible locations of many operations.
Earlier monthly figures
Data from the DHQ's monthly infographics for the first six months of 2026, as analysed by PREMIUM TIMES, show significant activity. In January, troops arrested 451 suspects, rescued 277 kidnapped victims, destroyed 53 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 282,000 litres of crude oil and refined petroleum products. The military also reported the killing of 10 terrorist commanders and their lieutenants.
In February, 46 insurgents surrendered, 354 suspects were arrested and 409 kidnapped victims were rescued. Troops destroyed 32 illegal refining sites and recovered over 175,000 litres of petroleum products and ₦2.44 million in cash.
March saw the highest monthly arrest figure so far, with 1,359 suspects taken into custody, alongside the surrender of 197 insurgents and the rescue of 813 kidnapped victims. The military also reported killing 103 suspects, destroying 104 illegal refining sites, recovering 254 firearms and seizing more than 216,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products.
In May, troops killed 317 suspects, arrested 314 and rescued 221 hostages, while recovering 93 firearms and more than 21,900 litres of illegally refined petroleum products. June brought 129 suspects killed, 486 arrested and 542 kidnapped victims rescued, with 11 insurgents surrendering. Troops also recovered 5,668 weapons, ammunition and supplies, in addition to over 308,000 litres of illegally refined petroleum products.
Trends and observations
A comparison of the monthly figures reveals some fluctuations. The July arrest total of 486 exactly matches June's number, while the number of kidnapped victims rescued in July (393) is lower than June's 542. The 57 surrenders in July far exceed June's 11 but remain well below March's 197. Recoveries of weapons and ammunition in July (1,870) are also considerably lower than June's 5,668, which may reflect a change in operational focus or reporting practices.
The absence of an April infographic and the lack of geographic details in each monthly release make it difficult for independent observers to fully verify the military's claims or assess the effectiveness of operations in specific areas. Nevertheless, the DHQ maintains that sustained offensives across all theatres will continue until the capabilities of terrorist groups, armed bandits, oil thieves and other criminal networks are fully degraded.
