By Blessing Elo Oghene
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has disclosed that troops conducting operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the country rescued 581 civilians, arrested 345 suspects and neutralised several terrorists in September 2026.
The troops also recorded the surrender of 75 terrorists and recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition during the month.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, during September and the third quarter of 2026.
Onoja said the third-quarter data showed significant fluctuations in operational outcomes between July and September.
He said that from July to August, the number of bandits and criminals killed increased by 171.9 per cent, while arrests declined by 4.2 per cent. Civilians rescued increased by 51.4 per cent, surrendered terrorists by 252.6 per cent, arms recovered by 28.6 per cent, ammunition recovered by 12.5 per cent and crude oil recovered by 11 per cent.
According to him, most indicators declined from their August peaks between August and September, reflecting changes in the operational environment.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai reportedly neutralised 27 terrorist fighters, arrested 49 terrorists, rescued 103 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 73 insurgents and their families during September.
Onoja said troops conducted several operations across Borno and Yobe states, including engagements involving Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and terrorist advances.
He said troops also disrupted terrorist logistics networks by arresting suspected suppliers, informants, spies and collaborators in several locations across the theatre.
According to him, troops intercepted and rescued 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on September 24.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, supported by the Air Component, reportedly neutralised seven terrorist fighters, arrested 26 terrorists and rescued 171 kidnapped victims during the month.
Onoja said troops conducted operations in Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi states, recovering weapons and ammunition from terrorist locations.
He added that an air operation on September 17 disrupted the movement of terrorists transporting a large number of kidnapped victims in the Bazama area of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, enabling more than 60 victims to escape.
In the North-Central zone, troops of Operation Savannah Shield reportedly neutralised five terrorists, arrested two and rescued 27 kidnapped victims.
Onoja said troops also conducted IED clearance operations in Niger and Kwara states, safely defusing 12 devices and subsequently reopening affected roads to vehicular movement.
He added that troops rescued 22 kidnap victims during an operation at Muchiya village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State on September 15.
In the Kaduna, Plateau and Bauchi axis, troops of Operation Enduring Peace reportedly neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims during the month.
Onoja said troops also carried out raids on suspected criminal hideouts and arrested individuals linked to kidnapping and other violent activities.
In one operation at Kudu Yamma in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, troops, in collaboration with Forest Guards, reportedly neutralised three kidnappers and rescued six kidnap victims.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also reportedly neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims during the month.
Onoja said troops conducted several rescue operations across Benue, Kogi, Taraba and Nasarawa states.
In one incident, troops rescued 18 passengers from a bus allegedly abducted at Andaha Community along the Jos-Akwanga Road in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe reportedly arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene and Premium Motor Spirit.
Onoja said troops also conducted operations against oil theft and kidnapping in Edo and Rivers states.
He said the Nigerian Navy, under Operation Delta Sentinel, discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State on September 25.
The operation reportedly led to the recovery of approximately 33,800 litres of petroleum products, comprising illegally refined AGO and stolen crude oil.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka reportedly neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims during the month.
Onoja said troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and arrested a suspected Improvised Explosive Device fabrication expert.
He added that troops and local security groups encountered suspected secessionist terrorists at Obibi Forest in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, recovering weapons and ammunition abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
Giving the overall third-quarter figures, Onoja said the Armed Forces neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects, rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians and recorded the surrender of 333 insurgents.
He said the military 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.
Onoja disclosed that a total of 367 attacks were recorded across various operational theatres during the period.
He said Operation Hadin Kai recorded 33 attacks, Operation Fansan Yamma 115, Operation Savannah Shield 13, Operation Enduring Peace 147, Operation Whirl Stroke 55 and Operation Udoka four, while Operation Delta Safe recorded no attacks.
The Director said the operational results reflected the Armed Forces’ continued efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other security challenges across the country.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifice during the quarter.
The CDS also expressed sympathy to personnel, civilians and families who suffered injuries, losses or hardship during the period.
According to Onoja, Oluyede further commended the collaboration between the Armed Forces and other security agencies, including local security groups, in strengthening the country’s security architecture.
He also disclosed that Zinox Group had partnered with the Armed Forces to establish an online discount store scheme for serving and retired military personnel and their families.
The initiative, he said, was aimed at supporting the welfare of personnel and easing cost-of-living pressures.
The Armed Forces also appealed to members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing timely and credible information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193.
