DHQs
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects, and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians during kinetic and non-kinetic operations nationwide in the third quarter of 2026.
Disclosing the figures on Wednesday in Abuja during the joint monthly and third-quarter media briefing, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, noted that military sustained operations across the six geopolitical zones effectively disrupted terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, crude oil theft, and secessionist activities.
Onoja stated that during the quarter, 333 insurgents surrendered to troops, while forces recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition.
Operational Breakdowns Across Theatres
Highlighting operational achievements across various joint operations, Onoja provided regional breakdowns:
North East (Operation HADIN KAI): Counter-terrorism operations across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states resulted in 273 terrorists neutralised, 348 suspects arrested, and 297 kidnapped victims rescued. A total of 331 insurgents and their families surrendered to troops.
North West (Operation FANSAN YAMMA): Offensive operations against bandits and kidnapping syndicates across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states led to 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 suspects arrested, and 508 victims rescued.
North Central (Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE & WHIRL STROKE): Combined operations across the region resulted in 41 terrorists neutralised, 582 suspects arrested, and 836 kidnapped victims rescued.
Operations also intensified Improvised Explosive Device (IED) clearance across Niger and Kwara states.
South South (Operation DELTA SAFE & DELTA SENTINEL): Sustained maritime and anti-oil theft operations led to the arrest of 181 criminals, the dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites, and the recovery of over 1.61 million litres of stolen petroleum products comprising crude oil and refined products.
South East (Operation UDO KA): Operations targeted at criminal networks and secessionist elements resulted in 10 terrorists neutralised, 75 suspects arrested, 20 kidnapped victims rescued, and two secessionists surrendering.
Attack Responses and Collaboration
The defence spokesman noted that troops responded to 367 attacks across various operational sectors during the period.
Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded the highest number of attacks with 147 incidents, followed by Operation FANSAN YAMMA (115), WHIRL STROKE (55), HADIN KAI (33), SAVANNAH SHIELD (13), and UDO KA (4), while Operation DELTA SAFE recorded no attacks.
Onoja commended the synergy between the military, other security agencies, and local vigilante groups, which he said significantly enhanced community protection, safeguarded critical national infrastructure, and restored freedom of movement.
He added that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their dedication and expressed appreciation to the Zinox Group for partnering with the armed forces to establish an online discount store to boost personnel welfare.
Reiterating the military’s call for active civic participation through the “See Something, Say Something” campaign, Onoja urged citizens and community leaders to share timely, credible intelligence using the military’s toll-free line, 193, with guaranteed confidentiality.
