The Defence Headquarters says troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) neutralised 52 terrorists and criminals, arrested 350 suspects and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians across the country in September 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, during the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly/Third Quarter Media Briefing on ongoing military operations.
Onoja said the operations, conducted between August 31 and September 30, were carried out across the various theatres, targeting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, illegal refining and secessionist activities.
He 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 stolen petroleum products during the month.
According to him, troops sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations across the country, resulting in the disruption of terrorist logistics networks, rescue of abducted persons and denial of economic saboteurs access to the nation’s petroleum resources.
Operation Hadin Kai
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI operating in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states neutralised 27 terrorist fighters, arrested 49 terrorists, rescued 103 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 73 insurgents and their family members during September.
Onoja said troops also intercepted terrorist logistics, arrested suspected informants and collaborators and recovered weapons, ammunition, foodstuffs, medical supplies and other materials destined for terrorist enclaves.
He said a major rescue operation on September 24 led to the interception of 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Borno State.
He added that more than 70 terrorists and their family members surrendered at different locations in Borno State during the month, citing hunger, harsh living conditions and lack of basic necessities in terrorist enclaves.
Cumulatively, he said, Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 273 terrorist fighters, arrested 348 terrorists, rescued 297 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 331 insurgents and their families during the third quarter.
Operation Fansan Yamma
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Air Component, sustained offensive operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Onoja said the troops neutralised seven terrorists, arrested 26 and rescued 171 kidnapped victims during September.
He said troops also raided terrorist hideouts and forests, recovering rifles, a machine gun, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, ammunition and other items.
A major air operation on September 17, he said, 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.
During the quarter, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops neutralised 230 terrorist fighters, arrested 147 terrorists and rescued 508 kidnapped victims.
Operation Savannah Shield
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD operating in Kwara and Niger states neutralised five terrorists, arrested two and rescued 27 kidnapped victims in September.
Onoja said troops also cleared 12 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along roads in Borgu and Kaiama Local Government Areas.
He said troops rescued 22 kidnap victims from terrorists at Muchiya Village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State on September 15.
Cumulatively, the operation recorded 16 terrorists neutralised, 36 arrested and 365 kidnapped victims rescued during the quarter.
Operation Enduring Peace
In Bauchi, Kaduna and Plateau states, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims during September.
The troops also conducted raids on suspected criminal hideouts and recovered arms and ammunition.
Onoja said a major operation at Kudu Yamma in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on September 21 led to the neutralisation of three kidnappers and rescue of six victims.
During the quarter, troops under the operation neutralised 16 terrorist fighters, arrested 344 terrorists and rescued 74 kidnapped victims.
Operation Whirl Stroke
In Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims during September.
The troops also arrested suspected kidnap and arms-trafficking suspects and recovered weapons and ammunition.
Onoja said troops rescued 18 passengers abducted from a bus at Andaha Community along the Jos-Akwanga Road in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on September 26.
During the third quarter, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 202 suspects and rescued 397 kidnapped victims.
Operation Delta Safe
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted operations against kidnapping, organised crime, crude oil theft and illegal refining in Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers states.
The troops arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products during September.
Onoja said the Nigerian Navy, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, also dismantled two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The operation, he said, led to the recovery of about 33,800 litres of petroleum products comprising 28,520 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 5,280 litres of stolen crude oil.
Cumulatively, Operation DELTA SAFE recorded 181 arrests, destroyed 104 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 1.61 million litres of petroleum products during the quarter.
Operation Udo Ka
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA operating in Anambra, Enugu and Imo states 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 Improvised Explosive Device fabrication expert linked to a secessionist group.
During an operation in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State on September 23, troops recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle abandoned by fleeing suspects, while also rescuing a woman who had reportedly been abducted about two months earlier.
During the quarter, the operation neutralised 10 terrorist fighters, arrested 75 terrorists, rescued 20 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of two secessionists.
Military records 367 attacks in third quarter
Onoja said the AFN recorded 367 attacks across the various operational theatres during the third quarter.
He said Operation HADIN KAI recorded 33 attacks, FANSAN YAMMA 115, SAVANNAH SHIELD 13, ENDURING PEACE 147, WHIRL STROKE 55, UDO KA four, while DELTA SAFE recorded no attacks.
According to him, troops responded to the attacks with coordinated tactical operations, denying the assailants their objectives and improving security along key routes and communities.
He said the third-quarter operational 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.
The troops 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 noted that operational outcomes fluctuated from month to month because of changes in the security environment and the nature of engagements across the theatres.
Civil-military initiatives
The Director also highlighted several civil-military cooperation initiatives undertaken during the period.
He said the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association graduated beneficiaries of its skills acquisition programme in Enugu, with participants trained in areas including fashion designing, baking and catering.
The programme also provided beneficiaries with start-up materials to support self-employment.
In partnership with the Nwanna Arinze Foundation, school bags and books were also distributed to pupils and students of military schools in Enugu under a Back-to-School initiative.
In Yobe State, troops conducted an anti-drug awareness campaign for more than 300 students, focusing on the dangers of substance abuse and its implications for national security.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices across the operational theatres.
He also acknowledged the support of other security agencies, local security groups and communities in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities.
The CDS further 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 appealed to Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing credible information to security agencies, urging citizens to embrace the principle of “See Something, Say Something.”
The toll-free security line 193 was also provided for members of the public to pass information to the military.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria wished Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary.
