By Festus Fifen

​The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced massive operational breakthroughs across all geopolitical zones in the country, revealing that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) neutralized 554 terrorists and armed criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects, and rescued 1,736 kidnapped hostages during the third quarter of 2026.

​Speaking on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, during the Combined Monthly and Third Quarter Media Briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, highlighted that sustained kinetic and non-kinetic pressure significantly degraded the operational capabilities of insurgents, bandits, oil thieves, and secessionist elements nationwide.

​Giving a summary of the accomplishments for September 2026 alone, Major General Onoja disclosed that troops eliminated 52 terrorists, apprehended 350 criminal suspects, and freed 655 abducted citizens. The month also recorded the surrender of 75 terrorist fighters and their family members, along with the recovery of 52 firearms, 2,335 rounds of ammunition, and over 304,822 liters of stolen petroleum products.

​In the North East theater, Operation HADIN KAI sustained counter-terrorism operations across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.

Throughout September, troops neutralized 27 insurgents, arrested 49, rescued 103 hostages, and facilitated the surrender of 73 fighters and their dependents fleeing harsh conditions and internal strife in the Mandara Mountains and Lake Chad regions.

​Highlighting a key September intervention, troops intercepted 44 escaping family members of terrorists—comprising 13 women and 31 children—in Konduga LGA of Borno State. Quarterly aggregates for HADIN KAI stood at 273 insurgents neutralized, 348 arrested, 297 victims rescued, and 331 surrenders facilitated, alongside the arrest of crucial logistics informants and spies, including a suspect intercepting Starlink internet devices bound for Chad.

​In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded major victories against terrorist networks and kidnapping rings across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. In September alone, troops neutralized 7 terrorists, arrested 26 suspects, and rescued 171 kidnapped victims, including the Executive Chairman of Bungudu LGA in Zamfara State.

​A notable air operation by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet on September 17 around the Bazama area of Sakaba LGA in Kebbi State intercepted moving terrorists, enabling over 60 kidnapped victims to escape.

Cumulatively for the third quarter, troops in the North West eliminated 230 terrorists, arrested 147, and rescued 508 victims while intercepting arms couriers and recovering millions of Naira in ransom cash.

​Across the North Central theater, joint operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE delivered critical blows against criminal enclaves spanning Kwara, Niger, Bauchi, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

In September, operations across these sectors resulted in 15 terrorists killed, over 214 suspects arrested, and hundreds of hostages rescued.

​Among the standout achievements in Niger State was the rescue of 22 kidnap victims in Rafi LGA on September 15, as well as the safe defusing of 12 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along key supply routes in Borgu and Kaiama LGAs. In Bauchi State, a joint ambush with Forest Guards at Kudu Yamma in Ningi LGA neutralized three kidnappers and freed six victims.

​Operation WHIRL STROKE achieved a landmark success on September 19 in Nasarawa State, where troops raided the Lafia residence of a notorious kidnap kingpin, apprehending him and recovering a revolver, military uniforms, and digital evidence linking him to active militia operations. In total, North Central operations rescued over 1,136 kidnapped victims across Q3 2026.

​In the South-South region, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE and Navy Operation DELTA SENTINEL clamped down heavily on crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal refining networks across Bayelsa, Edo, and Rivers States.

For the month of September, troops arrested 33 criminals, destroyed 8 illegal refining sites, and recovered over 304,822 liters of stolen crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

​Key maritime actions in Rivers State included the discovery of 182,000 liters of stolen crude at Bethel Creek on September 22, and the deactivation of two major refining sites in Ahoada West LGA by NNS SOROH on September 25.

Third quarter figures for the Niger Delta region reflected 181 criminals arrested, 104 illegal refining sites dismantled, and over 1.6 million liters of crude and refined products recovered.

​In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA maintained aggressive momentum against secessionist groups and economic saboteurs across Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States. In September, troops killed 3 criminals, arrested 28 suspects, rescued 6 victims, and dismantled illegal bunkering facilities near Well Head 17/20 in Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State.

​A significant breakthrough occurred on September 14 when troops arrested a suspected secessionist IED fabrication expert along the Okigwe axis. Furthermore, a patrol around “Mother Valley” in Orsu LGA on September 23 led to the recovery of a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and the rescue of a female hairdresser abducted two months prior.

​Complementing kinetic actions, the Armed Forces intensified Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives nationwide to strengthen community relations. On September 22 in Enugu, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) graduated beneficiaries from its vocational skills acquisition program, providing startup materials in fashion design and catering.

​Additionally, under the “Back to School Initiative” in partnership with the Nwanna Arinze Foundation, educational supplies and school bags were distributed on September 24 to students at Abakpa Military Cantonment in Enugu for the 2026/2027 academic session.

In Yobe State, troops sensitized over 300 students on the dangers of substance abuse and its ties to insecurity.
​Providing a tactical overview of security incidents during the quarter, Major General Onoja revealed that the military responded to 367 attacks across all operational theaters. Troops successfully repelled the assaults, neutralizing dozens of attackers and frustrating their operational objectives while safeguarding critical national infrastructure.
​Data analysis presented during the briefing showed significant month-to-month operational shifts. While bandit and criminal casualties peaked in August before tapering off in September by 85.8%, overall Q3 performance demonstrated a sustained and aggressive degradation of hostile forces nationwide.
Expressing the leadership’s appreciation, of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, major General Michael Onoja commended the bravery and sacrifices of troops across all commands, while offering heartfelt condolences to personnel and civilians affected by ongoing conflict.

​He also highlighted a welfare initiative in partnership with Zinox Group and its chairman, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, establishing an online discount store scheme for active personnel, veterans, and their families to ease cost-of-living pressures.

​Concluding the briefing ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, the military high command called on citizens, traditional rulers, and community leaders to uphold the principle of “See Something, Say Something” by utilizing the toll-free line 193 to report suspicious activities.