The Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 554 terrorists and 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, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday during the combined monthly and third-quarter media briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Onoja said 333 insurgents also surrendered to the military during the quarter, while troops recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition.
He added that the operations led to the dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites and the recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products. The figures covered operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and secessionist activities across the country.
“The scale of successes recorded for the Third Quarter 2026, ranging from the neutralisation of 554 terrorists and criminals; arrest of 1,333 terrorists/criminals; rescue of 1,736 kidnapped civilians; surrender of 333 insurgents; capture of 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition; dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites; and recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products represents a significant degradation of criminal and terrorist operational capacity nationwide,” Onoja said.
The Defence Headquarters also disclosed that the Armed Forces recorded 367 attacks across the various theatres of operation during the period under review.
Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number with 147 attacks, followed by Operation Fansan Yamma with 115 and 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 no attacks.
Onoja said troops responded to the attacks through tactical engagements, disrupting attempts by terrorists and criminal groups to achieve their objectives.
He said the operations also involved the clearance of improvised explosive devices, dismantling of suspected terrorist camps, recovery of arms and ammunition, rescue of abducted civilians and protection of communities, key supply routes and critical national infrastructure.
Giving the September operational update, the DMO Director said troops neutralised 52 terrorists and criminals, arrested 350 suspects, rescued 655 kidnapped civilians and facilitated the surrender of 75 insurgents.
During the month, troops also recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The quarterly breakdown showed that Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East neutralised 273 terrorists, arrested 348 suspects and rescued 297 kidnapped victims, while 331 insurgents and their family members surrendered during the quarter.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 230 terrorists, arrested 147 suspects and rescued 508 kidnapped victims during the same period.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe sustained operations against oil theft and illegal refining, while Operation Udo Ka in the South-East continued operations against criminal and secessionist activities.
The Defence Headquarters said the Armed Forces would sustain kinetic and non-kinetic operations across the country, while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies and local communities to protect lives and property and improve security nationwide.
