The Peace Advocates Network, PAN, has commended the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for sustained operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups across the country.
In a statement on Friday signed by its spokesman, Dr Charles Kazayet, the group said recent operational figures indicated progress in the military’s efforts to tackle security threats.
PAN, however, urged Nigerians to support the Armed Forces by providing credible intelligence and cooperating with security agencies.
The group said the reported gains were particularly notable in the North-East, where troops under Operation Hadin Kai have continued operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and their logistics networks.
According to PAN, troops in the North-East neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects and rescued 595 kidnapped victims during the second quarter of 2026.
It said the troops also facilitated the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members.
The group added that more than 360 civilians, mostly women and children, were rescued from the Mandara Mountains in Borno State in June.
In the North-West, PAN said Operation Fansan Yamma had sustained offensive operations against bandits and kidnappers across Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states.
It said troops had also continued operations in the North-Central, targeting criminal groups and securing vulnerable communities and major routes.
According to the group, military operations in the South-East have focused on kidnappers, armed criminal groups and secessionist elements.
It added that troops in the South-South had sustained operations against oil theft, illegal refining and other criminal activities affecting the economy.
“Recent figures from the Defence Headquarters showed that troops dismantled 18 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products in the South-South in July.
“In the same period, Operation Udo Ka in the South-East arrested 26 suspects, rescued 10 civilians and recovered weapons and other logistics,” the statement said.
Kazayet said the reported operational gains should encourage Nigerians to regard national security as a collective responsibility rather than an assignment for the military alone.
“The Peace Advocates Network recognises the sacrifices being made by officers and soldiers across the different theatres of operation.
“From the North-East to the North-West, North-Central, South-East and South-South, our troops are confronting different forms of threats under difficult circumstances,” he said.
According to him, the reported rescues, arrests, recovery of weapons, disruption of criminal networks and destruction of illegal refining sites showed that the Armed Forces were maintaining pressure on groups threatening the country’s security.
PAN also commended Oluyede and other military commanders, urging the leadership to sustain joint operations, intelligence gathering and cooperation with other security agencies.
“We particularly commend the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the commanders and personnel serving across the various theatres for their commitment to the defence of Nigeria,” Kazayet said.
He called for stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved intelligence, better equipment and sustained support for military personnel.
