The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded significant operational successes across the country in September 2026, neutralised 52 terrorists and criminals, arrested 350 suspects and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 30, at the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly/Third Quarter Media Briefing on ongoing military operations across the various theatres of operation.
Onoja said troops also facilitated the surrender of 75 insurgents, recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 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.
He said the achievements reflected sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations by the AFN against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, illegal refining and secessionist activities across the country.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained counter-terrorism operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, neutralising 27 terrorist fighters, arresting 49 terrorists and rescuing 103 kidnapped victims during the month.
The troops also facilitated the surrender of 73 insurgents and their family members, while disrupting terrorist logistics networks and recovering foodstuffs, medical and veterinary supplies, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, motorcycle spare parts and cash allegedly intended for terrorists.
One of the major operations in the theatre occurred on September 24, when troops intercepted and rescued 44 terrorist family members comprising 13 women and 31 children at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters said the individuals had fled terrorist enclaves amid clashes between rival factions.
In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Air Component, neutralised seven terrorist fighters, arrested 26 terrorists and rescued 171 kidnapped victims across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
A major air operation on September 17 saw a Nigerian Air Force jet intercept terrorists moving with a large number of kidnapped victims around Bazama in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, forcing the terrorists to abandon the victims and enabling more than 60 kidnapped civilians to escape.
Troops also disrupted terrorist logistics and arms-trafficking networks, including the arrest of suspected logistics suppliers and an ammunition courier found with 300 rounds of ammunition.
In the North Central, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD operating in Niger and Kwara states neutralised five terrorists, arrested two and rescued 27 kidnapped victims.
The troops also successfully cleared 12 suspected Improvised Explosive Devices along routes in Borgu and Kaiama Local Government Areas, restoring the affected roads for vehicular movement.
Operation ENDURING PEACE troops operating across Bauchi, Kaduna and Plateau states neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims during the month.
In one major operation, troops working with Forest Guards ambushed suspected kidnappers at Kudu Yamma in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on September 21, neutralising three kidnappers and rescuing six kidnap victims.
Meanwhile, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops operating in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims.
The troops also disrupted arms-trafficking networks and rescued 18 passengers abducted from a bus at Andaha Community along the Jos-Akwanga Road in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
In the South South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops intensified operations against kidnapping, organised criminality, crude oil theft and illegal refining activities across Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers states.
During the month, the troops arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products.
The operation included the discovery of approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at illegal refining sites around Aworkiri and another 182,000 litres at Bethel Creek in Rivers State.
Similarly, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering approximately 33,800 litres of petroleum products.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims across Anambra, Enugu and Imo states.
The troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and arrested a suspected secessionist Improvised Explosive Device fabrication expert.
The Defence Headquarters said the cumulative Third Quarter 2026 figures showed that the AFN neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects, rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians and facilitated the surrender of 333 insurgents.
During the quarter, troops also recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 104 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 1.61 million litres of stolen petroleum products.
The military authorities further disclosed that 367 attacks were recorded across the various theatres during the quarter, with troops responding through offensive operations, raids, ambushes, clearance operations and other tactical engagements.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops across the theatres for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifice, while also acknowledging the collaboration of other security agencies and local security groups.
He urged 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.
The AFN said the information would be treated with utmost confidentiality, urging Nigerians to uphold the principle of “See Something, Say Something” as part of their civic responsibility towards national security.
The Defence Headquarters also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist and criminal networks while protecting lives, critical infrastructure and the nation’s economic resources.
