- Agency Report
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the armed forces have neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals and arrested 1,333 others during operations across the country in the third quarter of 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Defence Headquarters combined monthly and third-quarter media briefing.
Onoja said troops also rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians and facilitated the surrender of 333 insurgents during the quarter.
He said the military recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, while troops dismantled 104 illegal refining sites.
Onoja said the military also recovered 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products, comprising crude oil and refined petroleum products.
According to him, the figures reflected sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and secessionist activities.
Onoja said the operations were conducted across the six geopolitical zones, with troops working in collaboration with other security agencies and local security groups.
He said Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast recorded sustained counter-terrorism operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
He said troops neutralised 273 terrorists, arrested 348 and rescued 297 kidnapped victims during the quarter.
Onoja added that 331 insurgents and their families surrendered to troops in the theatre during the period.
In the North West, he said Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised 230 terrorists, arrested 147 and rescued 508 kidnapped victims.
He said the operation sustained offensive operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnapping syndicates across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
“In the North Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 36 and rescued 365 kidnapped victims during the quarter,” he said.
Onoja said troops also intensified Improvised Explosive Device clearance operations in Niger and Kwara states.
He said Operation ENDURING PEACE, operating in parts of the North Central, neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 344 and rescued 74 kidnapped victims.
According to him, Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 202 suspects and rescued 397 kidnapped victims across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba.
In the South South, Onoja said Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operations against oil theft, illegal refining, kidnapping and organised criminal activities.
He said the operation arrested 181 criminals, dismantled 104 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 1.61 million litres of petroleum products during the quarter.
He said the Nigerian Navy, under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, also recorded successes against crude oil theft and illegal refining in Rivers.
In the Southeast, Onoja said Operation UDO KA neutralised 10 terrorists, arrested 75 and rescued 20 kidnapped victims.
He added that two secessionists surrendered to troops during the quarter.
The defence spokesman said the military recorded 367 attacks across the various theatres during the period.
He said Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded 147 attacks, followed by Operation FANSAN YAMMA with 115 and WHIRL STROKE with 55.
Onoja said HADIN KAI recorded 33 attacks, SAVANNAH SHIELD 13 and UDO KA four, while DELTA SAFE recorded no attack during the period.
He said troops responded to the attacks by engaging assailants, recovering arms and ammunition, clearing IEDs, dismantling terrorist camps and rescuing abducted civilians.
Onoja said the operations also enhanced freedom of movement, protected communities and critical national infrastructure and disrupted criminal networks.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices during the quarter.
According to him, the CDS also commended other security agencies and local security groups for their collaboration in strengthening the nation’s security architecture.
Onoja said Oluyede further commended Zinox Group for partnering with the AFN to establish an online discount store for serving and retired personnel and their families.
He said the initiative was expected to support personnel welfare and strengthen military-private sector partnership.
Onoja urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing timely and credible information to troops and other security agencies.
He reiterated the military’s appeal to Nigerians to embrace the principle of “See Something, Say Something” in support of national security.
Onoja said information provided through the military’s toll-free line 193 would be treated with confidentiality. NAN
