The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 others and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians across the country during the third quarter of 2026.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a press briefing on the military’s operations in September and the third quarter of the year.
Onoja said troops also recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 104 illegal refining sites and recovered 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products during the quarter.
For September alone, the AFN neutralised 52 terrorists and criminals, arrested 350 suspects and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians, while 75 insurgents surrendered to the military. Troops also recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, dismantled eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products.
According to Onoja, troops confronted security threats ranging from terrorism and banditry in the northern theatres to kidnapping, oil theft and secessionist activities in the southern parts of the country.
He said the military recorded 367 attacks across its various theatres during the period under review. Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the highest number with 115 attacks, followed by Operation ENDURING PEACE with 147, Operation WHIRL STROKE with 55 and Operation HADIN KAI with 33.
Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded 13 attacks, while Operation UDO KA recorded four. Operation DELTA SAFE recorded no attacks during the period.
Onoja said troops responded to the attacks with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, neutralising some attackers, forcing others to flee and preventing them from achieving their objectives.
He added that troops also cleared improvised explosive devices, dismantled suspected terrorist camps, recovered weapons and ammunition, rescued abducted civilians and protected communities, major supply routes and critical national infrastructure.
The DMO director noted that operational outcomes fluctuated between July and September due to the changing nature and intensity of security engagements.
He said the military’s achievements during the quarter reflected its sustained efforts to degrade the operational capacity of terrorists and other criminal groups nationwide.
On behalf of the Armed Forces, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifice.
He also expressed condolences to military personnel, civilians and families who suffered injuries, loss or hardship during the quarter, while acknowledging the contributions of other security agencies and local security groups to the country’s collective security efforts.
