Military Neutralises 217 Terrorists, Rescues 349 Kidnap Victims in October Operations
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised 217 terrorists and criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnapped victims during military operations across the country in October 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday during a monthly operational briefing with Defence Correspondents, where he presented the military’s achievements across various theatres of operation.
Onoja said troops also recovered 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition, while 70 insurgents surrendered to the military during the period under review.
He added that the Armed Forces recorded significant successes in the fight against crude oil theft, recovering 756,837 litres of stolen petroleum products and destroying 49 illegal refining sites across the country.
According to him, the operations involved counterterrorism missions, intelligence-driven raids, rescue operations and coordinated engagements with other security agencies to weaken terrorist and criminal networks.
In the North-East, he said, increased surrenders, disruption of terrorist supply routes and decisive counterattacks continued to weaken the activities of insurgents.
In the North-West and North-Central, troops focused on rescuing abducted persons, raiding terrorist hideouts and arresting suspected kingpins, gunrunners and collaborators.
He also noted that operations in the South-South and South-East were intensified against economic saboteurs, illegal refining activities, kidnapping and secessionist networks.
The Defence spokesman said the Air Component provided timely and precision air support to ground operations, while the Nigerian Navy sustained efforts to disrupt illegal refining activities and support other security operations.
October Records Increase in Terrorists Neutralised, Arms Recovered
Giving a comparative analysis of the military’s operational achievements, Onoja said the number of terrorists and criminals neutralised increased significantly in October after a sharp decline in September.
He disclosed that the figure dropped by 85.8 per cent, from 367 in August to 52 in September, before rising to 217 in October, representing a 317.3 per cent increase over the previous month.
Similarly, arms recovered increased by 101.9 per cent, from 52 in September to 105 in October, while ammunition recovered rose by 35.9 per cent, from 2,335 to 3,174 rounds.
The volume of stolen petroleum products recovered also increased by 148.3 per cent, from 304,822 litres in September to 756,837 litres in October.
Illegal refining sites destroyed rose from eight in September to 49 in October, representing a 512.5 per cent increase.
However, Onoja acknowledged a decline in some operational figures. Arrests decreased by 28.3 per cent between August and September and by a further 3.5 per cent in October.
Civilian rescues also declined by 10.8 per cent between August and September, followed by another 39.9 per cent reduction in October. Insurgent surrenders fell by 62.7 per cent and a further 6.7 per cent over the corresponding periods.
He said the increase in terrorists neutralised, weapons and ammunition recovered, stolen petroleum products seized and illegal refining sites destroyed demonstrated the military’s continued efforts to dismantle criminal networks and protect the country’s economic assets.
Military Records 98 Attacks Across Operational Theatres
On security incidents recorded during the month, the Defence spokesman disclosed that the Armed Forces documented 98 attacks across the various operational theatres.
Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded the highest number with 29 attacks, followed by Operation HADIN KAI with 27 and Operation FANSAN YAMMA with 24.
Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded 12 attacks, while Operation UDO KA recorded four. Operations DELTA SAFE and SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded one attack each.
Onoja said troops responded to the incidents with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, successfully repelling the attackers.
CDS Mourns Victims of Taraba Attack
The briefing also acknowledged the loss of civilian lives during terrorist attacks in Binari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, on October 23, 2026.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, on behalf of the Armed Forces, extended condolences to the Taraba State Government, the people of the state and the families of the victims.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed and assured Nigerians that the military would intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The CDS said the loss of innocent lives would further strengthen the resolve of the Armed Forces to protect citizens and defend the country’s territorial integrity.
CDS Warns Terrorist Collaborators, Urges Public Cooperation
Onoja further conveyed the CDS’s commendation to troops across all operational theatres for their resilience and commitment to duty.
Oluyede urged personnel to maintain discipline, uphold the rules of engagement and respect human rights, while warning against complacency, particularly as the festive season approaches.
He also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies and called for stronger intelligence sharing, collaboration and joint operational planning.
The Defence Chief appreciated the media for its continued support through reportage and urged Nigerians to deny terrorists and other criminal elements safe havens within their communities.
He warned that terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners would face the full weight of the law when apprehended.
The CDS also appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free security line 193, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action and ensuring peace and security across the country.
Military Neutralises 217 Terrorists, Rescues 349 Kidnap Victims in October Operations