By Festus Fifen

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) say its troops sustained a high level of offensives on all operations across different theatres within the country in October, rescuing more than 150 abducted citizens, neutralising scores of terrorists and receiving the surrender of over 50 fighters and their family members.

Briefing journalists on Friday Director Defense Media Operations DMO Major General Micheal Onoja on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs, said troops, backed by the Air Component and working with other security agencies and local security groups, repelled determined attacks and dismantled logistics, intelligence and arms trafficking networks nationwide.

According to Major General Onoja, The most significant operation of the month came on October 2, when a combined security team struck terrorists in Owo Forest, Ondo State. Among those neutralised was Abdussamad Ohida, deputy to the ISWAP leader in Central Nigeria, who took over the group’s leadership after the leader’s 2023 arrest by the Department of State Services. Onoja said it was observed that the ISWAP leader was planning large-scale attacks during the coming festive season, and described his death as a major blow to ISWAP’s expansion efforts.

In the North East Region, Major General Onoja said Troops under Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 162 terrorists, rescued 39 kidnap victims, arrested 98 suspects and received 68 surrenders. On the night of October 6, troops repelled an ISWAP attempt to infiltrate Kukawa town in Borno State, killing 25 terrorists and recovering rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades. He added that surrendering fighters cited hunger, hardship and clashes between rival factions. Troops also arrested suspected informants, logistics suppliers and a collector of illegal levies at Geidam market.

The North Western region was not left out as Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops neutralised 18 terrorists and rescued 167 kidnap victims. On October 7, they repelled a large Lakurawa attack in Maiyama LGA of Kebbi State, in which more than 100 motorcycle-borne fighters took part, killing 10 and capturing a machine gun and other equipment. Other rescues included 18 victims in Bakori, Katsina State, and 27 villagers at Gamji. Troops also recovered ₦10 million suspected to be ransom in Kano State. Onoja said

In his words, ” Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 29 victims, including farmers in Mariga, Niger State, and arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin in Mokwa. Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued 13 victims and arrested 84 suspects in Kaduna and Plateau States, including a suspected arms fabricator. Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised 24 terrorists, rescued 68 victims and arrested 71, including a wanted gunrunner and militia leader in Benue State,

” Under Operation DELTA SAFE, troops arrested 45 criminals, dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and, with Operation DELTA SENTINEL, recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products. In the South East, Operation UDO KA rescued 20 abducted persons, including prospective corps members, in Imo State on October 7, and arrested five members of the kidnap syndicate. A follow-up operation in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State, neutralised 10 terrorists and recovered weapons and materials for fabricating improvised explosive devices.”

The military also highlighted community projects. The Nigerian Navy built or renovated community halls, boreholes and a school fence in Imo, Lagos, Osun and Edo States, while the Army held medical outreaches in Kwara. The Nigerian Air Force commissioned healthcare facilities, boreholes, solar streetlights and a computer-based test laboratory in several states. It also met Amnesty International Nigeria on civilian harm mitigation and revised its Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.

Major General Onoja concluded that the adversary is under pressure on multiple fronts, citing mounting surrenders, disrupted supply routes and decisive counter-attacks in the North East.