By Emmanuel Daudu
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) says its troops neutralised 52 terrorists and criminals, arrested 350 suspects and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians across the country in September 2026.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed this on Wednesday in its combined monthly and third-quarter media briefing on ongoing military operations nationwide.
According to the briefing, troops also facilitated the surrender of 75 insurgents, recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, dismantled eight illegal oil-refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products during the month.
The military said the operations were conducted across the various theatres as part of sustained campaigns against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and secessionist activities.
In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 27 terrorists, arrested 49 and rescued 103 kidnapped victims during September. The operation also facilitated the surrender of 73 insurgents and their family members.
One of the major developments in the theatre was the rescue of 44 terrorist family members, including 13 women and 31 children, in Konduga, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, after they fled their enclaves amid clashes between rival terrorist factions.
The military also reported a wave of surrenders in Borno State, with more than 70 terrorist fighters and family members surrendering at different locations. Some of those who surrendered reportedly cited hunger, harsh living conditions and lack of basic provisions inside terrorist enclaves as reasons for abandoning the groups.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma recorded the arrest of 26 terrorists, neutralisation of seven and rescue of 171 kidnapped victims across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Among the notable operations was an air operation in Kebbi State on September 17, during which more than 60 kidnapped victims escaped after a Nigerian Air Force jet intercepted terrorists moving with the captives.
In the North-Central, troops under Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 320 kidnapped victims and arrested 57 suspects across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
Troops also rescued 18 passengers abducted from a bus along the Jos–Akwanga Road in Nasarawa State and arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin in Lafia, where they recovered a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a luxury vehicle and cash.
Similarly, Operation Enduring Peace, covering Bauchi, Kaduna and Plateau states, arrested 155 suspects, rescued 28 kidnapped victims and neutralised nine terrorists during the month. In Bauchi State, troops working with Forest Guards ambushed suspected kidnappers at Kudu Yamma in Ningi Local Government Area, killing three and rescuing six victims.
In the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products during September.
The military said troops recovered approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Aworkiri and another 182,000 litres at Bethel Creek in Rivers State.
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims across Anambra, Enugu and Imo states. Troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site and arrested a suspected explosives fabrication expert linked to secessionist activities.
Beyond kinetic operations, the Armed Forces said it continued civil-military initiatives, including skills acquisition programmes, educational support and anti-drug awareness campaigns.
In Enugu, beneficiaries of a Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association skills programme received start-up materials after training in fashion designing, baking and catering. School bags and books were also distributed to pupils and students in military schools under a Back-to-School initiative.
The military further disclosed that more than 300 students in Yobe State participated in an anti-drug awareness campaign focused on education, discipline, responsible citizenship and the dangers of substance abuse.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the broader third-quarter figures showed that troops neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects, rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians and facilitated the surrender of 333 insurgents.
The military also reported the recovery of 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites and recovery of more than 1.61 million litres of stolen petroleum products during the quarter.
The Defence Headquarters said troops recorded 367 attacks across the various theatres during the period, but responded with operations aimed at disrupting terrorist and kidnapping activities, protecting communities and securing critical infrastructure and major supply routes.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended personnel for their professionalism and sacrifices, while also acknowledging the support of other security agencies, local security groups and communities.
He urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide credible information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193, stressing that national security remains a shared responsibility.
The Defence Headquarters also commended Zinox Group for partnering with the Armed Forces to establish an online discount store for serving and retired military personnel and their families, describing the initiative as support for personnel welfare.
