Nigerian Army troops
Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded 98 attacks across different operational theatres in October but still rescued 349 kidnapped victims, arrested 333 suspected terrorists and criminals, and neutralised 217 terrorists during intensified nationwide operations.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who released the October operational report on Friday, said troops, working with the Air Component and other security agencies, also dismantled terrorist logistics, intelligence and arms trafficking networks. He disclosed that the operations covered the period between September 30 and October 30, 2026.
The report showed that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops during the month, while security forces recovered 105 weapons and 3,174 rounds of ammunition from criminal elements.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the military sustained coordinated operations across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East, South-South and other parts of the country to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and crude oil theft.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded the highest success by neutralising 162 terrorists, arresting 98 suspects and rescuing 39 kidnapped victims in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Another 68 insurgents also surrendered during the period.
The report said troops repelled an attempted ISWAP attack on Kukawa town in Borno State between October 6 and 7, killing 25 terrorists and recovering rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs, ammunition and other weapons.
According to the briefing, many terrorists who surrendered blamed hunger, hardship and internal clashes among rival factions for abandoning their camps. One suspect who surrendered in Yobe State reportedly said he was recruited through a social media group in 2024.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 18 terrorists, arrested 10 suspects and rescued 167 kidnap victims. Troops also repelled an attack by heavily armed Lakurawa fighters in Kebbi State and recovered weapons during the operation.
The military said troops also rescued several kidnapped residents in Katsina State during separate operations in Sabuwa and Malumfashi Local Government Areas.
In the North-Central, Operation Whirl Stroke killed 24 terrorists, arrested 71 suspects and rescued 68 kidnapped victims across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states. Troops also rescued passengers abducted along the Ayere-Kabba Road in Kogi State and recovered weapons from armed groups operating in Benue.
Operation Savannah Shield, covering Kwara and Niger states, rescued 29 kidnapped victims after responding to an attempted attack on farmers in Niger State.
The report further stated that Operation Enduring Peace neutralised six criminals, arrested 84 suspects and rescued 13 kidnapped victims across Kaduna and Plateau states.
Defence Headquarters also announced the killing of senior ISWAP commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Ondo State. The military said the commander was planning major attacks ahead of the festive season and described his death as a major setback to the group’s activities in the country.
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka rescued 33 civilians, including prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State. Troops later arrested five members of the kidnapping syndicate and recovered firearms and ammunition.
Operation Delta Safe in the South-South arrested 45 criminals, dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 756,000 litres of petroleum products during anti-oil theft operations.
Beyond combat operations, the Armed Forces said troops carried out several civil-military projects, including medical outreach programmes, borehole construction, school renovation and healthcare support for communities.
The Nigerian Air Force also strengthened engagement with Amnesty International Nigeria on civilian harm mitigation and reviewed its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan to improve accountability and compliance with international humanitarian and human rights standards.
Despite the gains, Defence Headquarters acknowledged that troops came under 98 attacks during the reporting period. Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest with 29 attacks, followed by Operation Hadin Kai with 27 and Operation Fansan Yamma with 24.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed sympathy to the people and government of Taraba State over the killing of civilians during terrorist attacks in Binari community.
He assured residents that those behind the attacks would be arrested and prosecuted. The Defence Chief also praised troops for their commitment but urged them to remain vigilant as the festive season approaches.
He called on traditional rulers, community leaders and youths to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence, warning that terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners would face the full weight of the law once arrested.
The military also encouraged Nigerians to report suspicious activities through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
