In an update published by Africa.com, President Bola Tinubu declared that Nigerian military assets and multi-agency security coalitions have neutralized over 13,000 active terrorists and bandits within the past year. The commander-in-chief highlighted that strategic defense adaptations have effectively crashed insurgency-related mortality statistics by 81 percent nationwide.
The administration stated that since the current government took charge in mid-2023, more than 124,000 asymmetric combatants along with their immediate civilian dependents have surrendered to frontline divisions. These individuals are currently transitioning through de-radicalization camps via Operation Safe Corridor. Despite the positive metrics, defense planners admit that tactical vulnerabilities still present themselves via sporadic banditry and rural kidnapping cells.
The administration’s anti-terror report card was heavily validated by national dailies. The Nation confirmed the extensive defense audit, stating that “security forces have neutralized more than 13,000 terrorists over the past year.” Leadership also carried the data blocks, indicating that while “deaths linked to the insurgency have fallen by 81%,” state commands are executing fresh patrol formats to deny escape corridors to remaining networks.
Echotitbits take: While a reduction in security casualties is a major milestone, rural communities still suffer from kidnapping threats. The military must turn these kinetic battlefield successes into permanent civil safety.
Source: NTA – https://www.nta.ng/news/security-nigeria/13000-terrorists-neutralised-inside-president-tinubus-bold-democracy-day-security-claims, June 21, 2026
Photo credit: NTA
