The Military High Command on Wednesday said the gallant troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) killed 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians during military operations across the country in the third quarter of 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, who disclosed this in Abuja during the combined monthly and third-quarter media briefing, said the military recorded 367 attacks across various theatres of operation in September 2026.
Gen. Onoja added that the operations, conducted between July and September, also led to the surrender of 333 insurgents, the recovery of 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, the destruction of 104 illegal refining sites and the recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The director pointed out that the figures reflected sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, illegal refining and secessionist activities across the country by the troops.
According to him, troops recorded significant gains in September, neutralising 52 terrorists and criminals, arresting 350 suspects, rescuing 655 kidnapped civilians and receiving the surrender of 75 insurgents.
He further explained that during the month, troops also recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, dismantled eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products.
He pointed out that the military recorded 367 attacks across various theatres of operation during the period under review.
According to him, a breakdown showed that Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number of attacks, with 147 incidents, followed by Operation Fansan Yamma with 115 and Operation Whirl Stroke with 55.
“Operation Hadin Kai recorded 33 attacks, while Operation Savannah Shield recorded 13 and Operation Udo Ka recorded four, while Operation Delta Safe recorded no attacks during the period.”
Gen. Onoja said the troops responded decisively to these incidents, swiftly engaging the assailants with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres and successfully countering the attacks.
He added that Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East recorded the neutralisation of 27 terrorist fighters, the arrest of 49 terrorists, the rescue of 103 kidnapped victims and the surrender of 73 insurgents and their family members in September.
He further added that 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, were rescued at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on 24 September.
He said the North-East operation recorded a total of 273 terrorists neutralised, 348 arrested, 297 kidnapped victims rescued and 331 insurgents and their families surrendering during the third quarter.
According to him, in the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised seven terrorists, arrested 26 and rescued 171 kidnapped victims during the month.
“The operation recorded the rescue of more than 60 kidnapped victims after a Nigerian Air Force jet disrupted the movement of terrorists in the Bazama area of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.”
He further explained that during the quarter, the operation accounted for 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 arrested and 508 kidnapped victims rescued.
In the North-Central,
According to him, “Operation Savannah Shield neutralised five terrorists, arrested two and rescued 27 kidnapped victims in September, while Operation Enduring Peace neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 and rescued 28 kidnapped victims.
“Operation Whirl Stroke, covering Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, also neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims during the month.”
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products during the month.
He further pointed out that the troops discovered about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Aworkiri in September and another 182,000 litres at Bethel Creek in Rivers State.
He said the Nigerian Navy, under Operation Delta Sentinel, also discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering about 33,800 litres of petroleum products.
He added that in the South-East, Operation Udo Ka neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims during September, while the troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and arrested a suspected secessionist Improvised Explosive Device fabrication expert.
He explained that the month-to-month figures reflected fluctuations in the operational environment, adding that troops nevertheless maintained sustained pressure on criminal and terrorist networks.
Gen. Onoja explained that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices, while also appreciating the support of other security agencies, local security groups and communities.
He stated that Gen. Oluyede further urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide timely and credible information to security agencies through the nearest military formation or the toll-free line 193.
He stressed that national security remained a shared responsibility and encouraged Nigerians to uphold the principle, “See Something, Say Something.”
According to him, the CDS also commended Zinox Group for partnering with the AFN to establish an online discount store for serving and retired military personnel and their families, describing the initiative as a contribution towards improving personnel welfare and morale.