The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has neutralised more than 217 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnapped victims during sustained military operations across the country in October 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday, October 30, 2026, during the monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations in Abuja.
Onoja said, “Troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force and working in collaboration with other security agencies and local security groups, also recorded the surrender of 70 insurgents, recovered 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition between September 30 and October 30.
“The military dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of stolen petroleum products in operations against crude oil theft in the South-South region”.
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Highlighting significant operational successes, the Defence spokesman said troops neutralised a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2.
Ohida, who was identified as the deputy to the ISWAP leader in Central Nigeria, reportedly assumed leadership of the group following the arrest of his predecessor by the Department of State Services in 2023.
According to Onoja, the terrorist commander was involved in planning large-scale attacks across several states ahead of the forthcoming festive season, adding that his neutralisation represents a major setback to the group’s expansion efforts.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 162 terrorists, rescued 39 kidnapped victims, arrested 98 suspects and recorded the surrender of 68 terrorists during the period under review.
A major breakthrough was recorded when troops repelled an ISWAP attack on Kukawa town in Borno State between October 6 and 7, neutralising 25 terrorists and recovering six AK-47 rifles, ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other military equipment.
The operation also recorded the rescue of several abductees, while more than 50 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered across different communities in Borno State.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised 18 terrorists, rescued 167 kidnapped victims, arrested 10 suspects and recorded one surrender.
Among the major successes was the repelling of a large-scale Lakurawa terrorist attack on Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October
Troops neutralised 10 terrorists and recovered a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication device.
The operation also recorded the rescue of 27 villagers abducted from Gamji community in Katsina State and 29 farmers rescued in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised three terrorists, rescued 29 kidnapped victims and arrested three suspects, while Operation ENDURING PEACE neutralised six criminals, rescued 13 victims and arrested 84 suspects.
Similarly, Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised 24 terrorists, rescued 68 kidnapped victims and arrested 71 suspects across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
The operations also led to the arrest of suspected gunrunners, arms dealers and militia collaborators, as well as the recovery of firearms and ammunition.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE arrested 45 criminal elements, neutralised two suspects, dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products in collaboration with Operation DELTA SENTINEL.
The troops also sustained operations against kidnapping and illegal oil bunkering, while restoring order in communities affected by security disturbances.
In the South-East, Operation UDOKA neutralised two terrorists, arrested 22 criminal suspects and rescued 33 civilians.
A significant achievement was the successful rescue of abducted prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers who were kidnapped along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State on October.
The victims were rescued on October 7 following sustained pressure from troops and other security agencies. Five members of the kidnapping syndicate were subsequently arrested, with three AK-47 rifles, a pistol and ammunition recovered.
The Defence spokesman further disclosed that the Armed Forces recorded 98 attacks across the various theatres during the month. Operation HADIN KAI recorded 27 attacks, FANSAN YAMMA 24, ENDURING PEACE 29, WHIRL STROKE 12, UDO KA four, while DELTA SAFE and SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded one attack each.
He said troops responded decisively to the attacks, successfully repelling the assailants through coordinated ground and air operations.
Beyond kinetic operations, Onoja said, “The Armed Forces sustained civil-military cooperation initiatives aimed at strengthening relationships with host communities and addressing the welfare needs of civilians”.
He listed projects undertaken by the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force to include healthcare facilities, solar-powered boreholes, community halls, school fencing, computer-based testing laboratories and other infrastructure across different states.
He also said, “The Nigerian Air Force had strengthened its civilian harm mitigation framework through engagements with Amnesty International Nigeria and the review of its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan”.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed condolences to the government and people of Taraba State, particularly families of civilians killed during terrorist attacks in Binari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area, on October 23.
Oluyede commended troops for their resilience and dedication across all operational theatres, urging them to remain disciplined, uphold the rules of engagement and respect human rights, particularly as the festive season approaches.
He also called for deeper collaboration among security agencies and urged traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public to provide timely and credible intelligence to security formations.
The CDS warned terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners that they would face the full weight of the law once apprehended.
The military encouraged members of the public to report security threats through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Oluyede reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to sustaining operations against terrorists and criminal networks to protect lives and property and restore lasting peace and security across the country.
