Insecurity: Troops Neutralise 554 Terrorists, Rescue 1,736 Kidnap Victims in Q3 — DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 554 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians during operations across the country in the third quarter of 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the combined monthly and third-quarter media briefing on military operations.
Onoja said the operations, conducted between July and September, also resulted in the surrender of 333 insurgents, recovery of 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, destruction of 104 illegal refining sites and recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products.
He said the figures reflected sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, illegal refining and secessionist activities across the country.
September Operations
According to the DMO director, troops recorded significant operational gains in September, neutralising 52 terrorists and criminals, arresting 350 suspects, rescuing 655 kidnapped civilians and receiving the surrender of 75 insurgents.
During the month, 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.
Onoja said security forces recorded 367 attacks across the various theatres of operation during September, with Operation Enduring Peace recording the highest number at 147 incidents.
Operation Fansan Yamma recorded 115 attacks, followed by Operation Whirl Stroke with 55. Operation Hadin Kai recorded 33 attacks, Operation Savannah Shield 13 and Operation Udo Ka four, while Operation Delta Safe recorded none.
He said troops responded to the attacks with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, successfully countering the assaults.
North-East
Onoja said Operation Hadin Kai recorded the neutralisation of 27 terrorist fighters, arrest of 49 suspects, rescue of 103 kidnapped victims and surrender of 73 insurgents and their family members during September.
He disclosed that troops also rescued 44 family members of terrorists — 13 women and 31 children — at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on September 24.
For the third quarter, he said Operation Hadin Kai recorded 273 terrorists neutralised, 348 arrested, 297 kidnapped victims rescued and 331 insurgents and their family members surrendering.
North-West
In the North-West, troops operating under Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised seven terrorists, arrested 26 suspects and rescued 171 kidnapped victims in September.
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Onoja said more than 60 kidnapped victims were rescued after a Nigerian Air Force aircraft disrupted the movement of terrorists in the Bazama area of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
During the quarter, the operation accounted for 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 arrested and 508 kidnapped victims rescued, he said.
North-Central
In the North-Central, Operation Savannah Shield neutralised five terrorists, arrested two suspects and rescued 27 kidnapped victims during September.
Operation Enduring Peace, according to Onoja, neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims, while Operation Whirl Stroke, covering Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims during the month.
South-South
In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested 33 suspects, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products during September.
Onoja said troops also discovered approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Aworkiri and another 182,000 litres at Bethel Creek, both in Rivers State.
He added that the Nigerian Navy, operating under Operation Delta Sentinel, discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering approximately 33,800 litres of petroleum products.
South-East
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims during September.
The troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and arrested a suspected secessionist linked to the fabrication of improvised explosive devices, Onoja said.
The DMO director noted that the month-to-month figures reflected fluctuations in the operational environment but maintained that troops continued to exert sustained pressure on terrorist and criminal networks.
CDS Commends Troops, Seeks Public Support
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices in the ongoing operations.
The CDS also acknowledged the support of sister security agencies, local security groups and communities in the military’s efforts to contain insecurity across the country.
He urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide timely and credible information to security agencies through the nearest military formation or the toll-free line 193.
Oluyede stressed that national security remained a shared responsibility and encouraged Nigerians to uphold the principle: “See Something, Say Something.”
The CDS also commended Zinox Group for partnering with the Armed Forces to establish an online discount store for serving and retired military personnel and their families.
He described the initiative as a contribution towards improving personnel welfare and boosting the morale of troops and their families.
