AFN Neutralises 554 Terrorists, Rescues 1,736 Kidnap Victims in Q3

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians during military operations across the country in the third quarter of 2026.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this at the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly and Third Quarter Media Briefing in Abuja.

Onoja said the operations, conducted between July and September, also led to the surrender of 333 insurgents, recovery of 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, destruction of 104 illegal refining sites and recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products.

He said the figures reflected sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, illegal refining and secessionist activities across the country.

According to him, troops recorded significant gains in September, neutralising 52 terrorists and criminals, arresting 350 suspects, rescuing 655 kidnapped civilians and receiving the surrender of 75 insurgents.

During the month, troops also recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, dismantled eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products.

Onoja said Operation Hadin Kai in the North East recorded the neutralisation of 27 terrorist fighters, arrest of 49 terrorists, rescue of 103 kidnapped victims and surrender of 73 insurgents and their family members in September.

He added that 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, were rescued at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on September 24.

He said the North East operation recorded a total of 273 terrorists neutralised, 348 arrested, 297 kidnapped victims rescued and 331 insurgents and their families surrendering during the third quarter.

In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised seven terrorists, arrested 26 and rescued 171 kidnapped victims during the month.

The operation recorded the rescue of more than 60 kidnapped victims after a Nigerian Air Force jet disrupted the movement of terrorists in the Bazama area of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

During the quarter, the operation accounted for 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 arrested and 508 kidnapped victims rescued.

In the North Central, Operation Savannah Shield neutralised five terrorists, arrested two and rescued 27 kidnapped victims in September, while Operation Enduring Peace neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 and rescued 28 kidnapped victims.

Operation Whirl Stroke, covering Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states, also neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims during the month.

In the South South, Operation Delta Safe arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products during the month.

Onoja said troops discovered about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Aworkiri in September and another 182,000 litres at Bethel Creek in Rivers State.

He said the Nigerian Navy, under Operation Delta Sentinel, also discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering about 33,800 litres of petroleum products.

In the South East, Operation Udo Ka neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims during September.

The troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and arrested a suspected secessionist Improvised Explosive Device fabrication expert.

Onoja said troops across the various theatres responded to 367 attacks during the quarter, with Operation Enduring Peace recording 147 attacks, Fansan Yamma 115, Whirl Stroke 55, Hadin Kai 33, Savannah Shield 13 and Udo Ka four. Delta Safe recorded no attack during the period.

He said troops responded to the attacks with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, neutralising attackers, recovering weapons and ammunition, clearing explosive devices and disrupting terrorist and criminal camps.

The Defence Media Operations chief said the month-to-month figures reflected fluctuations in the operational environment, adding that troops nevertheless maintained sustained pressure on criminal and terrorist networks.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices, while also appreciating the support of other security agencies, local security groups and communities.

Oluyede further urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide timely and credible information to security agencies through the nearest military formation or the toll-free line 193.

He stressed that national security remained a shared responsibility and encouraged Nigerians to uphold the principle, “See Something, Say Something.”

The CDS also commended Zinox Group for partnering with the AFN to establish an online discount store for serving and retired military personnel and their families, describing the initiative as a contribution towards improving personnel welfare and morale.