Philip Agbese commends military gains under Oluyede, highlighting increased successes against insecurity, including terrorism, banditry and kidnappings
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has praised what he described as significant military gains under Oluyede, commending the Nigerian Armed Forces for intensified operations against insecurity across the country.
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Agbese, who represents the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State under the Labour Party, made the remarks in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, 6 July 2026.
Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central, as well as oil theft in the Niger Delta.
In response, the military has stepped up coordinated joint operations across various theatres of conflict.
The lawmaker said the Armed Forces, under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, had demonstrated improved inter-service coordination and operational effectiveness in recent months.
According to him, the renewed synergy among the Army, Navy and Air Force has resulted in measurable progress, including the neutralisation of armed groups, rescue of abducted civilians and disruption of criminal networks.
“Those who genuinely follow developments in our security sector will agree that the Armed Forces have become more coordinated and more decisive in confronting criminal elements,” Agbese said.
He added that the military was increasingly shifting from a reactive posture to proactive operations targeting terrorist and criminal strongholds nationwide.
The gains were further illustrated by operational figures cited by Agbese, who noted that in June alone troops neutralised 129 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 486 suspects and rescued 542 kidnapped victims.
He also highlighted the recovery of 130 firearms, over 5,500 rounds of ammunition, the dismantling of illegal refining sites and the seizure of more than 308,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
“These are not ordinary statistics. Behind every figure is a community made safer and families reunited with loved ones,” he said.
Agbese also commended recent rescue operations in the North-East, where hundreds of abducted civilians, including women and children, were freed from captivity, describing the effort as a major humanitarian achievement.
He said sustained military pressure had continued into the second quarter of the year, with further operational successes recorded, including the neutralisation of 662 criminals, arrest of 1,084 suspects and rescue of 951 kidnapped victims.
Agbese urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and avoiding collaboration with criminal groups, stressing that national security requires collective effort.
“Our armed forces cannot fight this battle alone,” he said. “Citizens must continue to support them with timely information and stand firmly behind our security personnel.”
He added that the National Assembly would continue to back initiatives aimed at improving funding, intelligence gathering and welfare for personnel to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
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The statement reflects ongoing public debate over security progress, as authorities continue efforts to consolidate gains and restore stability in affected regions.
