Military Records 217 Terrorists, Criminals Killed, Rescues 349 Kidnap Victims in October

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded significant operational gains against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and crude oil theft in October, neutralising 217 terrorists and criminals, arresting 333 suspects and rescuing 349 kidnapped persons across the country.

This was made known during the monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in Abuja, where he highlighted the military’s kinetic and non-kinetic activities between September 30 and October 30, 2026.

Onoja said the military also recorded the surrender of 70 insurgents, recovered 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition, while dismantling 49 illegal refining sites and recovering 756,837 litres of petroleum products.

Civil-military operations

On the non-kinetic front, the military sustained civil-military cooperation initiatives through the provision of healthcare, potable water, educational facilities and other infrastructure projects in communities across the country.

The Nigerian Navy undertook several community development projects in Imo, Lagos, Osun and Edo states. These included the reconstruction of Okwu Owerre Community Hall, provision of a solar-powered industrial borehole and water reticulation facilities at Uzoubi-Umuna in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

Other projects included the perimeter fencing of Omolaiye Community School in Ikorodu North, Lagos State; installation of an industrial solar-powered borehole and a 35,000-litre overhead water tank at Oke Ejigbo, Ila Orangun, Osun State; and construction of a community hall, mini-marts and an information technology garden at Ibore-Irrua Kingdom in Edo State.

The Nigerian Air Force also commissioned healthcare and educational facilities, including a primary healthcare clinic at Latiko Village in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State, a primary healthcare centre and industrial borehole at Gadabuke Development Area in Toto, Nasarawa State, and a Computer-Based Test laboratory at Government Science Secondary School, Shinkafi, Zamfara State.

It also provided 25 solar streetlights and a functional borehole at Igbore Community in Abeokuta South, Ogun State.

Similarly, the Nigerian Army held a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Offa, Kwara State, followed by medical outreaches in Oke Ode, Omu-Aron, Erin-Ile and Ilemona.

The military also facilitated peace and reconciliation meetings involving oil companies, labour unions and host communities in the Niger Delta to address disputes and prevent disruptions to economic activities.

Onoja said the Nigerian Air Force also engaged Amnesty International Nigeria on civilian harm mitigation, accountability and compliance with international humanitarian and human rights standards during air operations.

He added that the Service reviewed its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan and advanced its policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.

Operational successes across theatres

Giving a breakdown of the operations, Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East neutralised 162 terrorists, arrested 98 suspects and rescued 39 kidnapped persons, while 68 terrorists surrendered.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded 18 terrorists killed, 10 arrests and the rescue of 167 kidnapped persons. One terrorist also surrendered.

Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in the North-Central recorded three terrorists killed, three arrests, 29 rescued kidnap victims and the surrender of one terrorist.

Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested 84 suspects, neutralised six criminals and rescued 13 kidnapped persons across Plateau and Kaduna states.

Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded 24 terrorists neutralised, 71 arrests and the rescue of 68 kidnapped persons across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE neutralised two criminals and arrested 45 suspects, while troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East killed two terrorists, arrested 22 criminals and rescued 33 civilians.

Crackdown on oil theft

The military also sustained its crackdown on crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage, particularly in the Niger Delta.

During the period, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, working alongside Operation DELTA SENTINEL, dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products.

Major operations

Among the major operations recorded during the month was the killing of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2.

Ohida, who was reportedly the deputy to the ISWAP leader in Central Nigeria, was said to have assumed leadership of the group following the arrest of its former leader by the Department of State Services in 2023.

The military said he was involved in planning attacks across several states ahead of the forthcoming festive season.

In another major engagement, troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled an ISWAP attack on Kukawa town in Borno State between October 6 and 7, killing 25 terrorists and recovering six AK-47 rifles, 797 rounds of PKT ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other weapons.

Troops also repelled a major attack by Lakurawa terrorists in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7. The attackers, reportedly operating on more than 100 motorcycles and armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, were engaged by troops, leaving 10 terrorists dead.

The military also recorded several rescue operations across the country.

In Imo State, troops and other security agencies rescued prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted alongside other passengers along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. Five members of the kidnapping syndicate were subsequently arrested, with three AK-47 rifles and other weapons recovered.

In Katsina State, troops rescued 27 villagers abducted during an attack on Gamji community in Sabuwa Local Government Area on October 16.

Other rescue operations included 29 farmers in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State on October 15, 18 kidnapped persons in Bakori, Katsina State, and 11 passengers abducted along the Ayere-Kabba Road in Kogi State.

Military records 98 attacks

Despite the operational successes, the military disclosed that troops recorded 98 attacks across different theatres during the month.

Operation ENDURING PEACE in the North-Central recorded the highest number, with 29 attacks, followed by Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East with 27 and Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West 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 attacks and successfully repelled the assailants through superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres.

He, however, acknowledged the loss of civilian lives in terrorist attacks on communities in Binari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, on October 23.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, extended condolences to the affected families and assured residents that efforts would be intensified to apprehend those responsible.

He commended troops for their resilience but urged them to remain disciplined, respect human rights and adhere strictly to the rules of engagement, particularly as the festive season approaches.

The CDS also called on security agencies to deepen intelligence sharing and joint planning, while urging traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to provide timely information on suspicious activities.

The military urged members of the public to report security threats to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free number 193, assuring that information provided would be treated confidentially.

Key figures from military operations in October 2026

Source: Defence Headquarters, monthly press briefing on military operations, October 30, 2026.