The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised dozens of terrorists, rescued abducted victims, arrested suspected collaborators and disrupted criminal networks across the country during military operations conducted between October 2 and 8, 2026.
Among the major achievements recorded during the period were the killing of 25 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during an attempted attack on Kukawa town in Borno State, the rescue of 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) abducted in Imo State, and the neutralisation of a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo State.
The military also reported the killing of 10 Lakurawa terrorists during an encounter in Kebbi State, the rescue of several kidnapping victims across the North-West and North-East, and the recovery of weapons and ammunition from suspected criminal hideouts.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed these developments in a statement on Saturday, October 10, while briefing the public on ongoing military operations across the country’s geopolitical zones.
According to him, troops sustained pressure on terrorist groups, armed bandits, kidnappers, arms traffickers and crude oil thieves, while targeting their leadership structures, logistics networks and operational capabilities.
Troops Repel ISWAP Attack in Borno
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained offensive operations against terrorists and their support networks across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
A major engagement occurred on the night of October 6, when ISWAP terrorists attempted to infiltrate Kukawa town in Borno State.
Onoja said troops, supported by the Air Component, engaged the attackers in a prolonged battle that continued into the morning of October 7.
The operation resulted in the neutralisation of 25 terrorists and the recovery of six AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, 797 rounds of PKT ammunition, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs, an anti-tank bomb and other equipment.
In another operation, troops foiled a terrorist attack on Abakurari village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State on October 5, killing one terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle.
Troops also recovered two gunboat guns mounted along a riverbank at Kwatan Kuwait in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on October 6. An AK-47 rifle was separately recovered at Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area.
The military said the operations were part of sustained efforts to deny terrorist groups freedom of movement and prevent attacks on communities.
Seven-Year Captives Rescued
The military also recorded significant breakthroughs in the rescue of abducted persons in Borno State.
On October 4, troops rescued two female abductees around the Kuranabasa axis in Gwoza Local Government Area, alongside three escapees from captivity in Cameroon.
The three Cameroonian escapees were subsequently handed over to the country’s Rapid Intervention Battalion at Kirawa on October 5.
On October 8, troops rescued three abductees who had reportedly been held captive for seven years around Armuda in Gwoza Local Government Area. Three other abductees were also rescued in the Gava area of the same local government.
In separate developments, a terrorist, two women and their children surrendered to troops at Ngurusoye village in Bama Local Government Area on October 5.
Another terrorist surrendered in Monguno after escaping from a camp at Tumbunma village in the Lake Chad region.
Troops also intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist supply chains and arrest suspected collaborators.
On October 3, soldiers arrested 12 suspected collaborators and smugglers allegedly transporting fish from the Republic of Niger at Kanama in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
A suspected logistics supplier was arrested at Mubi Market in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State on October 4.
The military further reported the arrest of a high-profile terrorist in Magumeri town, Borno State, on October 5, and another suspected terrorist along the Pulka-Firgi Road in Gwoza Local Government Area on October 6.
Troops Kill 10 Lakurawa Terrorists in Kebbi
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained operations against terrorism and banditry in Kaduna, Katsina and Kebbi states
One of the major encounters occurred on October 7 in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where troops confronted a large group of Lakurawa terrorists reportedly operating on more than 100 motorcycles and armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
According to the military, troops neutralised 10 terrorists during the encounter, while others abandoned their weapons and fled.
The soldiers subsequently recovered 17 motorcycles, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, assorted ammunition and a communication device.
In Katsina State, troops conducted operations against terrorists in Malumfashi Local Government Area on October 5, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, a motorcycle and other items.
The military also reported the rescue of 18 kidnap victims during an operation conducted by troops working with local security personnel at Unguwan Hudu village in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 1.
In another breakthrough, a seven-year-old boy abducted from Dogon Dawa village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State was rescued at Tsakiya village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 6.
Troops also arrested a suspected terrorist in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State on the same day.
On October 8, another suspected terrorist collaborator was apprehended at Kuyello in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The suspect reportedly admitted to working with terrorists involved in kidnapping-for-ransom operations.
Military Intensifies Crackdown on Arms Trafficking
In the North-Central region, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE intensified operations against illegal arms trafficking and armed criminality in Taraba State.
On October 7, troops raided a residence at Wura Baba village, near Abbare in Lau Local Government Area, following intelligence reports that a suspect was in possession of a firearm.
Although the suspect escaped, troops recovered a locally fabricated submachine gun pistol and two rounds of 9mm ammunition.
On the same day, soldiers raided the hideout of an alleged associate of a suspected arms trafficker previously arrested on August 14 at Bubuwa in Wukari Local Government Area.
The operation, conducted at Sabon Gidan Usha in Donga Local Government Area, led to the recovery of 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The military said the operations were aimed at removing illegal weapons and ammunition from circulation to prevent their use by armed groups and criminal networks.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested two suspected kidnappers at Makasa village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on October 2, following surveillance operations.
The suspects are being investigated to establish their possible links with wider kidnapping networks.
In Niger State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD arrested a wanted suspected terrorist along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area on October 2, following the killing of a driver in the area.
The same operation led to the rescue of three persons who had escaped from their abductors and were found wandering in Sabanginna Ndeji Forest in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State on October 4.
20 Abducted Corps Members Rescued in Imo
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough with the rescue of 20 prospective NYSC corps members abducted while travelling to orientation camps.
The victims were kidnapped on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, around the Umunoha axis of Mbaitoli Local Government Area in Imo State.
A local woman who was abducted while travelling to the market was also rescued during the operation.
Onoja said the victims were rescued at Ndegwu community in Owerri West Local Government Area on October 7 following intense pressure from troops and other security agencies.
He added that search operations were continuing to locate and arrest those responsible for the abductions.
The rescue came amid public concern over the security of prospective corps members travelling to their respective orientation camps.
Senior ISWAP Commander Neutralised in Ondo
In another major development, a joint team of security personnel neutralised a senior ISWAP commander, identified as Abdussamad Ohida, during an operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2.
According to the Defence Media Operations director, Ohida was the deputy to the leader of ISWAP’s Central Nigeria faction and subsequently assumed leadership of the group following the arrest of its leader by the Department of State Services in 2023.
Onoja said investigations revealed that the slain commander had allegedly been planning large-scale attacks against civilians in some southern states ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
His neutralisation, the military said, represents a significant setback to ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence beyond its traditional strongholds in the North-East.
The military described the operation as an important achievement in efforts to disrupt the activities of terrorist networks seeking to establish a foothold in southern Nigeria.
Troops Discover Illegal Refineries in Rivers
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage in Rivers State.
On October 7, soldiers conducting an anti-illegal oil bunkering operation at Okarki Forest in Ahoada West Local Government Area discovered three illegal refinery sites.
The sites were subsequently handled by the troops as part of efforts to dismantle facilities used for illicit petroleum processing.
On the same day, troops operating in Eleme Local Government Area discovered a stockpile of stolen Premium Motor Spirit estimated at 2,500 litres.
The military said the operations were intended to deny oil thieves access to the facilities and resources sustaining their illegal activities.
Military Strengthens Humanitarian Collaboration
Beyond combat operations, the Armed Forces also continued efforts to support humanitarian activities and improve civil-military relations, particularly in the North-East.
On October 8, a delegation led by the Deputy Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Patricia Mucheche, visited the headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, to strengthen collaboration with the military.
During the visit, the theatre commander assured the delegation that the Armed Forces would continue to provide a secure environment for humanitarian operations.
The military also pledged to strengthen information sharing and coordination with humanitarian partners and facilitate safe access to farmlands and essential supply routes.
The engagement underscored the importance of cooperation between security agencies and humanitarian organisations in protecting civilians, supporting displaced communities and creating conditions for socio-economic recovery across the North-East.
CDS Commends Troops, Warns Criminal Collaborators
Reacting to the achievements recorded across the various theatres, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their courage, professionalism and commitment to national security.
He also paid tribute to military personnel who lost their lives in the defence of the country.
Oluyede urged troops to remain vigilant and avoid complacency, particularly as the festive season approaches, stressing the need for continued discipline and operational readiness.
The CDS further commended other security agencies for their cooperation and called for sustained intelligence sharing and joint planning to strengthen ongoing operations.
He also appreciated the media for balanced reporting but cautioned against publishing unverified information or sensitive operational details that could undermine military operations or provide an advantage to adversaries.
The military leadership warned terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers and illegal arms dealers that security agencies were intensifying efforts to identify and dismantle their networks.
Oluyede also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public to reject criminal activities and promptly report individuals suspected of aiding terrorists and other armed groups.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ determination to sustain offensive operations across the country until peace and security are restored.
The military said the latest operational successes demonstrate its resolve to weaken terrorist networks, rescue abducted citizens, protect critical national assets and create a safer environment for communities across Nigeria.
