Nigeria’s security agencies have neutralised 435 terrorists and armed criminals, arrested 1,519 suspects and rescued 972 kidnapped victims during coordinated security operations across the country in September and October 2026.
The achievements were disclosed on Thursday during a joint security press briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which brought together the military, intelligence, law enforcement, regulatory and anti-corruption agencies to review operational successes recorded within the two-month period.
The briefing highlighted intensified military offensives, intelligence-led operations, border security enforcement, anti-drug campaigns, the fight against economic sabotage and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening national security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) conducted 588 military operations across the country within the period, neutralising 435 terrorists and other armed criminals.
Uba disclosed that several high-profile terrorist commanders were among those eliminated, including Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.
He added that the sustained military pressure also compelled 198 insurgents to surrender, while troops rescued 717 kidnapped victims.
Among the notable rescue operations were the liberation of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Owerri and 11 kidnapped persons in Kebbi State.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) also recorded significant operational gains, arresting 1,519 criminal suspects and neutralising 56 armed criminals nationwide.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, said police operatives rescued 255 kidnapped victims during the period.
She highlighted several operations, including the rescue of 30 kidnapped victims following a gun battle at Katuru Village Junction in Sokoto State, the repelling of a Boko Haram attack in Adamawa State and the arrest of a suspected IPOB/ESN kingpin, Amos Andibo, popularly known as ‘No Joy’, in Imo State.
Similarly, the Department of State Services (DSS) intensified intelligence-driven operations targeting the logistics, financing and supply networks of terrorist and criminal groups.
In the South-East, the Service dismantled supply networks linked to IPOB/ESN, while in Katsina State, it foiled an alleged mass kidnapping plot in Bakori Local Government Area, neutralising 18 armed bandits and rescuing 45 victims.
The DSS also confirmed the elimination of senior ISWAP commander Abdussamad Ohida in Ondo State.
The briefing further highlighted judicial outcomes against terrorism and kidnapping, including life imprisonment sentences for terrorism-related offences and death sentences handed down to convicted kidnappers in Sokoto and Adamawa states.
On internal accountability and infrastructure protection, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) disclosed that it sanctioned 79 personnel for professional misconduct.
Representing the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi, the Deputy Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Corps Orndiir Terzungwe, said two officers were dismissed over an unauthorised engagement linked to the incident that claimed the life of the Mining Marshals Commander, Levi Agada, in Nasarawa State.
He also disclosed that the Corps dismantled a child trafficking syndicate allegedly operating under the guise of a non-governmental organisation known as the ‘Back to School Project’.
The NSCDC equally arrested several suspects involved in vandalism of critical national infrastructure and public utilities.
In the Niger Delta, security forces sustained operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities, destroying 57 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 1.06 million litres of stolen petroleum products.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) also intensified its anti-narcotics campaign, conducting 397 operations that resulted in 3,583 arrests, 396 convictions and the seizure of 177,534.46 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs.
The agency’s major breakthrough included an Interpol-backed operation that led to the arrest and extradition of alleged drug kingpin Festus Ibewuike from Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The NDLEA also rehabilitated 542 drug users as part of its drug demand reduction and rehabilitation initiatives.
At the nation’s borders and economic gateways, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded a major revenue milestone, generating more than N1.42 trillion during the September–October period.
The Service’s Spokesperson, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, disclosed the figure while highlighting the agency’s enforcement activities, anti-smuggling operations and efforts to facilitate legitimate trade.
The Office of the National Security Adviser said the achievements reflected improved inter-agency collaboration and a coordinated national response to security threats, economic sabotage and organised criminal activities.
It reaffirmed the commitment of the security and intelligence community to sustaining the operational momentum in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security agenda and ensuring a safer and more stable environment across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
