The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says its troops have neutralised 554 terrorists, arrested 1,333 suspects and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians during military operations across the country between July and September 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this at the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly and Third Quarter Media Briefing in Abuja.
He said the operations also led to the surrender of 333 insurgents, recovery of 244 firearms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, as well as the destruction of 104 illegal refining sites and recovery of more than 1.61 million litres of stolen petroleum products.
READ ALSO: Troops Intensify North-West Operations, Neutralise Terrorists
According to General Onoja, the figures reflect sustained military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, armed criminality and secessionist activities across the country.
September Operations
In September alone, troops neutralised 52 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 350 suspects, rescued 655 kidnapped civilians and facilitated the surrender of 75 insurgents.
They also recovered 52 firearms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, dismantled eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI operating in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states neutralised 27 terrorist fighters, arrested 49 suspects and rescued 103 kidnapped victims during the month.
The operation also facilitated the surrender of 73 insurgents and their family members.
On September 24, troops rescued 44 members of terrorist families, including 13 women and 31 children, in Konduga, Borno State.
General Onoja said more than 70 terrorists and their families surrendered at various locations in Borno during September, citing hunger, hardship and lack of basic necessities in terrorist enclaves.
For the third quarter, Operation HADIN KAI recorded 273 terrorists neutralised, 348 arrested, 297 kidnapped victims rescued and 331 insurgents and their family members surrendering.
Operations Across Northern Nigeria
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops neutralised seven terrorists, arrested 26 suspects and rescued 171 kidnapped victims in September.
The troops also disrupted terrorist logistics and arms-trafficking networks, recovering rifles, a machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and ammunition.
During the quarter, the operation recorded 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 arrested and 508 kidnapped victims rescued.
In the North-Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD troops operating in Kwara and Niger states neutralised five terrorists, arrested two suspects and rescued 27 kidnapped victims in September.
A major operation in Muchiya Village, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, on September 15 led to the rescue of 22 kidnap victims.
Troops also cleared 12 improvised explosive devices planted at different locations across Niger and Kwara states.
For the quarter, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded 16 terrorists neutralised, 36 arrested and 365 kidnapped victims rescued.
Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE troops operating in Bauchi, Kaduna and Plateau states neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims in September.
The operation recorded 16 terrorists neutralised, 344 arrested and 74 kidnapped victims rescued during the quarter.
Operation WHIRL STROKE, covering Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims in September.
Troops also arrested suspected arms dealers and members of kidnap syndicates, recovered firearms and rescued 18 passengers abducted from a bus along the Jos-Akwanga Road in Nasarawa State.
During the quarter, the operation recorded nine terrorists neutralised, 202 arrested and 397 kidnapped victims rescued.
Fight Against Oil Theft
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops operating in Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers states arrested 33 suspects, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products in September.
The recovered products included crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene and Premium Motor Spirit.
The Nigerian Navy’s Operation DELTA SENTINEL also uncovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation recovered about 33,800 litres of petroleum products, comprising 28,520 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,280 litres of stolen crude oil.
For the third quarter, Operation DELTA SAFE troops arrested 181 suspects, destroyed 104 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 1.61 million litres of petroleum products.
South-East Security Operations
In the South-East, Operation UDO KA troops operating in Anambra, Enugu and Imo states neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims in September.
Troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and destroyed about 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil.
A suspected expert in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices for secessionist groups was also arrested along the Umulolo Junction-Linka-Ihube axis near Okigwe.
During an encounter with suspected secessionist elements in Obibi Forest, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, troops recovered a general-purpose machine gun, a rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle, while rescuing a female kidnap victim.
For the quarter, Operation UDO KA neutralised 10 terrorists, arrested 75 suspects, rescued 20 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of two secessionists.
Attacks Recorded
General Onoja said the AFN recorded 367 attacks across its operational theatres during the third quarter.
Operation HADIN KAI recorded 33 attacks, FANSAN YAMMA 115, SAVANNAH SHIELD 13, ENDURING PEACE 147, WHIRL STROKE 55 and UDO KA four, while DELTA SAFE recorded no attacks.
He said troops responded with tactical manoeuvres and superior firepower, neutralising some attackers, forcing others to withdraw and preventing them from achieving their objectives.
The AFN also carried out civil-military cooperation activities, including skills acquisition programmes, distribution of educational materials and an anti-drug awareness campaign involving more than 300 students in Yobe State.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifice, while expressing condolences to personnel, civilians and families affected by the conflict.
He also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, local security groups and communities to ongoing military operations.
General Oluyede commended Zinox Group for partnering with the AFN to establish an online discount store scheme for serving and retired military personnel and their families.
The Defence Headquarters 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.
The AFN encouraged Nigerians to uphold the principle of “See Something, Say Something,” stressing that national security is a shared civic responsibility.
 says its troops neutralised 554 terrorists, arrested 1,333 suspects and rescued 1,736 kidnapped.............){kind=link}