Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces killed 217 terrorists, arrested 333 suspected terrorists and rescued 349 kidnapped victims across the country in October 2026, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday, adding that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops during the period.
He said the troops also recovered 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition, while operations against crude oil theft led to the recovery of 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products and the destruction of 49 illegal refining sites.
Onoja said troops recorded significant successes against kidnapping syndicates in Kano and Borno States, recovering a total of ₦17 million suspected to be ransom.
He disclosed that between October 16 and 17, troops tracked kidnappers to Yan Taburmi in Falgore Forest, Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State, where they killed two suspects, rescued a victim and recovered ₦10 million suspected to be ransom.
Similarly, on October 23, troops tracked and arrested a suspected kidnapper who was attempting to collect ₦7 million in ransom at Azir Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The defence spokesman said the Armed Forces recorded 98 attacks across various theatres of operation between September 30 and October 30.
He, however, said troops responded decisively to the attacks, engaging the assailants with superior firepower and successfully repelling them.
Giving a breakdown of the attacks, Onoja said Operation HADIN KAI recorded 27, Operation FANSAN YAMMA 24, Operation ENDURING PEACE 29, Operation WHIRL STROKE 12 and Operation UDO KA (OPUK) four.
Operations DELTA SAFE and SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded one attack each.
He acknowledged that the month was not without tragic incidents, particularly the terrorist attacks in Binari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, on October 23, which claimed the lives of civilians.
Reacting to the incident, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, extended his condolences to the Taraba State Government, the people of the state and the families of those killed.
Oluyede assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.
He said the loss of innocent lives would only strengthen the military’s resolve to protect lives and property across the country.
The defence chief commended troops for their resilience across the various theatres of operation and urged them to remain disciplined, uphold the rules of engagement and respect human rights.
He also warned troops against complacency, particularly as the festive season approaches.
Oluyede appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to report security threats promptly, reject mob action and deny criminals safe havens within their communities.
He urged the media to ensure accuracy when reporting sensitive communal issues, warning against publications capable of inflaming tensions or compromising ongoing military operations.
The CDS further warned that terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners would face the consequences of their activities once arrested.
He called on members of the public to continue providing timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free security line 193.
According to him, all information received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
