Nigerian Military Neutralises 217 Terrorists, Rescues 349 Kidnap Victims in October – Defence Headquarters

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has announced the neutralisation of 217 terrorists and criminals, the arrest of 333 suspects and the rescue of 349 kidnap 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 operational 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 October operations demonstrated sustained pressure on terrorist and criminal networks, with troops recording successes through counterterrorism operations, intelligence-driven raids, rescue missions and coordinated engagements with other security agencies.

In the North-East, he said, mounting surrenders, disruption of terrorist supply routes and decisive counterattacks had continued to weaken terrorist cohesion.

In the North-West and North-Central, military operations focused on rescuing abducted civilians, raiding terrorist hideouts and arresting suspected kingpins, gunrunners and collaborators, thereby restricting the activities of criminal networks.

He noted that troops in the South-South and South-East also intensified operations against economic saboteurs, illegal refining activities, kidnapping and secessionist networks.

The Defence spokesman further explained that 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 significant increase in terrorists neutralised, arms recovered

Providing a comparative analysis of operational achievements, Onoja said the number of terrorists and criminals neutralised increased significantly in October following a sharp decline recorded in September.

He disclosed that neutralisation figures 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 quantity of stolen crude oil recovered also surged by 148.3 per cent, from 304,822 litres in September to 756,837 litres in October.

Illegal refining sites destroyed increased from eight in September to 49 in October, representing a 512.5 per cent increase.

However, he acknowledged a decline in some operational indicators, noting that 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, while insurgent surrenders fell by 62.7 per cent and a further 6.7 per cent over the corresponding periods.

He said the increase in neutralised terrorists and criminals, recovered weapons and ammunition, stolen crude oil recovered and illegal refining sites destroyed reflected the Armed Forces’ determination to dismantle criminal networks, protect national economic assets and restore lasting peace and security.

Military records 98 attacks across operational theatres

On security incidents recorded during the month, the Director disclosed that the Armed Forces documented 98 attacks across the various theatres of operation.

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. Operation DELTA SAFE and Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded one attack each.

Onoja said troops responded decisively to the incidents, engaging the attackers with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres to repel the assaults.

CDS mourns victims of Taraba attack

The briefing also acknowledged the tragic 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 families of the victims.

The CDS prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed and assured Nigerians that the military would spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

He stressed that the loss of innocent lives would only strengthen the resolve of the Armed Forces to protect citizens and defend the country’s territorial integrity.

CDS warns terrorists’ collaborators, urges public cooperation

Onoja further conveyed the CDS’s commendation of 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.

The CDS also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies and called for stronger intelligence sharing, collaboration and joint operational planning.

He appreciated the media for its continued reportage and urged Nigerians to deny terrorists and other criminal elements safe havens within their communities.

The Defence Chief warned that terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners would face the full weight of the law once arrested.

He 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.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria, he reaffirmed, remained committed to denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action and ensuring peace and security across the country.