The Defence Headquarters (DHQ)has confirmed that throughout the month of October this year, its troops have neutralised over 217 terrorists and criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 Kidnapped victims.
Within the month, 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 arms and 3174 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
According to Defence Headquarters, in the fight against crude oil theft have continued to frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs, yielding the recovery of 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products and destruction of 49 illegal refining sites.
Briefing Defence Correspondents on Friday in Abuja on the operational successes and achievements carried out by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the month of October nationwide, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained a high tempo of kinetic and non-kinetic operations across all theatres of operations throughout October 2026.
He also noted that during the period under review, the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded a total of 98 attacks across various theatres of operation. Stressing that
Operation HADIN KAI recorded 27 attacks, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded 24, Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded 29, Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded 12, Operation UDO KA (OPUK) recorded 4, while Operation DELTA SAFE and Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded 1 attack each.
Highlighting of the military operations across the geo-political zones of the country, Major General Onoja explained that in the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained relentless operations against terrorism and its support networks across Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States, with the Air Component providing decisive support.
He said during the month, troops neutralized 162 terrorists and rescued 39 kidnap victims, arrested 98 terrorists, while 68 terrorists surrendered.
In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma sustained offensive operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping throughout the month across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States thereby denying terrorists freedom of action. Observing that the month, troops neutralized 18 terrorists, rescued 167 kidnap victims, arrested 10 terrorists, while 1 terrorist surrendered.
In the North Central,Troops of Operation Savannah Shield have sustained operations against terrorism and kidnapping across Kwara and Niger States.
According to Major General Onoja, the month, troops neutralized 3 terrorists, rescued 29 kidnap victims, arrested 3 terrorists, and facilitated the surrender of 1 terrorist.
He also noted that troops of Operation Endurance Peace sustained operations to disrupt kidnapping networks and illegal arms trafficking in Kaduna and Plateau States, and neutralized 6 criminals and rescued 13 kidnap victims, while 84 criminals were arrested, and troops of Operation Whirl Stroke sustained operations against kidnapping, banditry and arms trafficking across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States. Saying that during the month, troops neutralized 24 terrorists and rescued 68 kidnap victims, while 71 terrorists were arrested.
" Significantly, On 16 October 2026, troops ambushed kidnappers moving victims from Kwara State into Kogi State between Okoloke and Isanlu-Esa in Yagba West LGA, rescuing five victims. On 19 October 2026, troops pursued the attackers of a commercial bus along the Ayere-Kabba Road in Ijumu LGA of Kogi State and rescued 11 passengers.
"In related operations, troops disrupted arms trafficking and kidnapping networks. Between 19 - 22 October 2026, troops arrested a wanted gunrunner and militia leader at Jape Village in Vandeikya LGA of Benue State. Troops also arrested a suspected arms dealer in Jalingo, Taraba State, over the attempted sale of 200 rounds of ammunition. The suspect disclosed the location of three AK-47 rifles.
"Additionally, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper at Kala in Lankaviri, Yorro LGA of Taraba State. The suspects confession led to the arrest of other members of a syndicate operating with six AK-47 rifles. On 28 October 2026, troops responding to local reports at Abaji in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State arrested two suspects alleged to be providing logistics for the leader of an armed militia gang." He stated.
The Defence Media Operations further explained that in the South -South region, troops under Operation Delta Safe in conjunction with operation Delta Sentinel have sustained operations against kidnapping, crude oil theft and civil disorder across Cross River, Edo, and Rivers States. Stressing that during the month, troops neutralized 2 criminals, arrested 45 suspects, dismantled 49 illegal refining sites, and recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products.
In the South East, troops operation Udo Ka he said have sustained operations against kidnapping, secessionist elements and criminality across Abia, Anambra and Imo States.
Major General Onoja pointed that during the month, troops neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 22 criminals, and rescued 33 civilians.
On the Civil -Military cooperation (CIMIC), he said the Nigerian Army sustained its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives through a Key Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Offa, Kwara South.
Similarly he said, the Nigerian Navy undertook community development projects across several states in October 2026. Saying these include the reconstruction of Okwu Owerre Community Hall, provision of a solar-powered industrial borehole, water storage and reticulation facilities at Uzoubi-Umuna, Orlu LGA of Imo State on 7 October 2026.
Others include the perimeter fencing of Omolaiye Community School in Ikorodu North LGA of Lagos State on 13 October 2026, followed by the installation of an industrial solar borehole, 35,000-litre overhead water tank and reticulation system at Oke Ejigbo, Ila Orangun, Osun State on 22 October 2026, and construction of a modern community hall, mini-marts and an IT garden at Ibore-Irrua Kingdom, Esan Central LGA of Edo State, which was commissioned on 31 October 2026.
He also observed that Operation Delta Safe, the Civil-Military Cooperation team facilitated two mediation meetings on 16 October 2026 involving Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Edegbene and Ogriagbene communities.
Furthermore he said, on 25 October 2026, a stakeholders’ peace and reconciliation meeting was held to address tensions between Okpoama and Diema communities in Brass LGA. 23, and The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) continued to strengthen civilian protection and community welfare through stakeholder engagement, policy development and Special Intervention Projects.
It hosted Amnesty International Nigeria to discuss civilian harm mitigation during air operations, accountability, transparency and compliance with international humanitarian and human rights standards, with both parties agreeing to sustain dialogue.
It also revised the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, initially introduced in May 2025, to strengthen civilian protection during military operations.
Meanwhile, the NAF Policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse reached its final stage pending official approval, reinforcing the Service’s zero-tolerance stance and commitment to accountability.
" The Armed Forces of Nigeria operations conducted in October 2026 indicate that the adversary is under pressure from multiple fronts. In the North East geopolitical zone, mounting surrenders, disrupted supply routes and decisive counter-attacks have steadily eroded terrorist cohesion. In the North West and North Central geopolitical zones, rescue of civilians, raids on terrorist and the arrest of kingpins, gunrunners and collaborators have significantly restricted the terrorist and criminals from perpetrating heinous crimes against innocent civilians. In the South-South and South East geopolitical zones, troops have curbed oil theft as well as disrupted kidnapping and secessionist networks.
" Meanwhile, the Air Component has provided precise and timely support throughout while the Navy has focused on disrupting illegal refining activities and supporting other security operations.
Major General Onoja while noted some sad events, he also said on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, GCOR, AFM, extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Taraba especially the families of the civilians who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Binari, Karim Lamido LGA on 23 October 2026.
The Chief of Defence Staff prayed for the souls of the departed and assured the nation that every effort is putting in place to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He further affirmed that the loss of all innocent lives will only strengthen the resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect lives and property.
He also commended the resilience of troops across all theatres of operation during the month, and urged them to remain disciplined, uphold the rules of engagement and respect for human rights.
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