Military Foils Terrorist Attacks Across Nigeria.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have foiled an attempted attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno State, rescued 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo State and neutralised a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo State.

The military also rescued kidnap victims, arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and recovered weapons and ammunition during operations conducted across the country between October 2 and 8, 2026.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement detailing the military's operational achievements during the period.

Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component, repelled an ISWAP assault on Kukawa town in Borno State on the night of October 6.

The engagement, which lasted several hours into the morning of October 7, resulted in the neutralisation of 25 terrorists and the recovery of six AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines, 797 rounds of PKT ammunition, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs and an anti-tank bomb.

He added that troops also foiled an attack on Abakurari village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State on October 5, neutralising one terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle.

In another major breakthrough, security forces operating in Owo Forest, Ondo State, neutralised Abdussamad Ohida, identified as a senior ISWAP commander and deputy to the group's leader in Central Nigeria.

According to Onoja, Ohida assumed leadership of the group following the arrest of its previous leader by the Department of State Services in 2023.

Investigations reportedly revealed that the deceased commander had been planning large-scale attacks on citizens in some southern states during the forthcoming festive season.

The Defence Media Operations director said his neutralisation represented a major setback for the group's efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria.

In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka rescued 20 prospective corps members abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in the Umunoha axis of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

A local woman who was also abducted while travelling to the market was rescued alongside the prospective corps members at Ndegwu community in Owerri West Local Government Area on October 7.

Onoja said troops were continuing search operations to locate and arrest those responsible for the abductions.

In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma repelled an attack by a large group of Lakurawa terrorists in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7.

The terrorists, who reportedly operated on more than 100 motorcycles and carried machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, lost 10 members during the encounter, while others fled, abandoning their weapons.

The troops recovered 17 motorcycles, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication device.

The military also rescued 18 kidnap victims in Unguwan Hudu village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, on October 1, in collaboration with local security personnel.

Another rescue operation on October 6 led to the recovery of a seven-year-old boy abducted from Dogon Dawa village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The boy was found at Tsakiya village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

In the North-East, troops rescued several abductees, including three people who had reportedly been held captive for seven years in the Armuda area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Two female abductees were also rescued around Kuranabasa in Gwoza, while three escapees from Cameroon were handed over to the country's Rapid Intervention Battalion at Kirawa on October 5.

The military further arrested 12 suspected collaborators and smugglers transporting fish from the Republic of Niger at Kanama in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Other arrests included a suspected logistics supplier at Mubi Market in Adamawa State, a high-profile terrorist suspect in Magumeri, Borno State, and another suspected terrorist along the Pulka-Firgi Road in Gwoza.

In the North-Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recovered a fabricated sub-machine gun pistol and two rounds of 9mm ammunition during a raid in Wura Baba village, near Abbare, in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The troops also recovered 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from the hideout of an alleged accomplice of a suspected arms trafficker in Donga Local Government Area of the state.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested two suspected kidnappers in Makasa village, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on October 2.

Troops of Operation Savannah Shield also arrested a wanted suspected terrorist along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and rescued three people who had escaped from their abductors in Sabanginna Ndeji Forest, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered three illegal refining sites in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, during an anti-oil theft operation on October 7.

The troops also discovered about 2,500 litres of suspected stolen Premium Motor Spirit in Eleme Local Government Area, further disrupting activities linked to crude oil theft and illegal petroleum trade.

The statement added that the military was strengthening cooperation with humanitarian organisations to support civilian protection and recovery efforts in the North-East.

On October 8, a delegation led by the Deputy Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs Patricia Mucheche, visited the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, Borno State, to strengthen collaboration with the military.

The military assured the delegation of continued support for humanitarian activities, improved information sharing and coordination, as well as efforts to facilitate safe access to farmlands and essential supply routes.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their courage and professionalism, while paying tribute to personnel who lost their lives in the defence of the country.

He urged troops to remain vigilant and disciplined, particularly as the festive season approaches, and called on security agencies to sustain joint planning and intelligence sharing.

Oluyede also urged traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public to report individuals providing support to terrorists, including informants, logistics suppliers and illegal arms dealers.

He further appealed to the media to ensure balanced reporting and avoid publishing unverified information or operational details that could undermine ongoing military operations.