The Peace Advocates Network (PAN) has commended Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for sustaining operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups across the country.
In a statement signed on Friday by Dr Charles Kazayet, the group said reported operational gains across the various theatres indicated continued military pressure on security threats. PAN also urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and cooperating with troops.
The group highlighted operations in the North-East, where troops under Operation Hadin Kai have continued to target Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters as well as their logistics networks.
According to PAN, troops operating in the region neutralised 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects and rescued 595 kidnapped victims during the second quarter of 2026. The group added that 38 insurgents and their family members surrendered, while more than 360 civilians, mainly women and children, were rescued from the Mandara Mountains in Borno State in June.
In the North-West, PAN said Operation Fansan Yamma had maintained offensive operations against bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states. It also noted that military formations in the North-Central continued operations aimed at disrupting criminal groups and protecting vulnerable communities and major routes.
The organisation said troops in the South-East were conducting operations against kidnappers, armed criminal groups and secessionist elements, while operations in the South-South remained focused on oil theft, illegal refining and other 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,” PAN said. It added that Operation Udo Ka in the South-East arrested 26 suspects, rescued 10 civilians and recovered weapons and other logistics during the same period.
Kazayet said the reported results should reinforce the view that national security requires participation from citizens and communities, rather than being left solely to the military.
PAN recognised the sacrifices of officers and soldiers operating across the country, noting that troops were confronting different forms of threats under challenging conditions. The group said reported arrests, rescues, weapons recoveries and disruption of criminal networks demonstrated continued military activity against those threatening national security.
The organisation also commended Oluyede and military commanders for their leadership, while calling for sustained joint operations, intelligence gathering and collaboration among security agencies.
PAN further urged the Federal Government to maintain attention on the welfare and equipment needs of military personnel serving in conflict-prone areas. It said stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved intelligence and adequate support would be important to sustaining military operations.
The group also appealed to politicians and citizens to avoid actions or statements capable of undermining security operations or creating divisions. It urged communities, traditional rulers and political leaders to strengthen cooperation with security agencies and provide timely information that could assist efforts to prevent and respond to criminal activity.
