The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has launched a nationwide toll-free emergency hotline, 193, as part of efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering and enhance public participation in the country’s fight against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
The military also announced that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) killed 662 terrorists and other criminal elements during operations conducted across the country between April and June 2026.
Speaking during the presentation of the military’s June operational briefing and second-quarter performance report in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Micheal Onoja, said the new hotline is designed to provide Nigerians with a secure platform to report suspicious activities and emerging security threats.
He assured citizens that all information received through the emergency line would be handled with strict confidentiality and urged the public to continue supporting security operations through timely and credible intelligence.
According to Onoja, sustained military operations during the second quarter significantly weakened terrorist organizations, kidnapping syndicates, oil thieves and other criminal networks operating across different parts of the country.
The military said troops neutralized 662 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,084 suspects, rescued 951 kidnapped victims and accepted the surrender of 39 insurgents during the three-month period.
Security forces also recovered 328 firearms and 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal crude oil refining sites and recovered more than 464,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in operations targeting oil theft and economic sabotage.
June operations
Providing a breakdown for June alone, Onoja said troops killed 129 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 486 suspects and rescued 542 kidnapped victims.
He added that 11 insurgents surrendered during the month, while troops recovered 130 firearms and 5,538 rounds of ammunition.
The military also dismantled seven illegal refining sites and intercepted more than 308,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the results reflect the Armed Forces’ sustained operational pressure on criminal groups across multiple theatres of operation.
Major breakthroughs
Among the notable successes highlighted by the military was the rescue of more than 360 civilians held in captivity, including what it described as a major multi-directional rescue operation carried out in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.
The military also reported dismantling terrorist logistics networks, recovering large caches of weapons and ammunition, intercepting stolen petroleum products and targeting the leadership structures of armed separatist groups.
Onoja said all military operations were conducted in line with constitutional rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.
Key arrests
The Defence Headquarters also disclosed a series of high-profile arrests made during the quarter.
Among those arrested was a suspected terrorist informant apprehended at Kara Market in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, who had reportedly been under military surveillance.
Troops also arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators in the Wawa-Doro area of Borgu, recovering a mobile phone containing extremist propaganda and photographs linked to violent attacks.
In Kwara State, security forces arrested Mrs. Hafsatu Alh Bello, identified as the wife of wanted terrorist leader Auta Ilori. Military authorities said intelligence obtained during her interrogation has provided valuable insight into the operations of her husband’s network.
Elsewhere, two suspects linked to an attempted kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kogi State were arrested, while four suspected terrorists were apprehended at a correctional farm facility in Oyo State after investigators reportedly uncovered evidence linking them to terrorist activities.
Foiled attacks
The military said several planned attacks were prevented during June.
Troops repelled an assault on communities in Buratai District of Biu Local Government Area in Borno State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition after forcing the attackers to retreat.
In Adamawa State, soldiers thwarted another planned attack on Rigange community in Lamurde Local Government Area, killing one suspected terrorist and recovering multiple assault rifles, magazines and ammunition.
Security forces also neutralised five suspected kidnappers in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State after the suspects allegedly attempted to overpower soldiers during an operation.
Another patrol in Lamurde led to the recovery of additional assault rifles, locally made firearms, magazines and ammunition from suspected militia members.
Continued counterterrorism efforts
The Defence Headquarters said troops also intensified operations targeting terrorist support networks and logistics while continuing efforts to encourage insurgents to surrender.
According to the military, several former insurgents voluntarily laid down their arms during the period, including women, teenagers and family members of fighters who escaped from terrorist camps in Borno State.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists and criminal groups while urging Nigerians to support ongoing efforts by reporting suspicious activities through the newly introduced emergency line, 193, or the nearest military formation.
