Troops Rescued Over 150 Kidnapped Victims, Neutralised Scores of Terrorists, As 50 Terrorist Fighters Surrender with Families – DHQ
Published by Sola Akingboye
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has said the military has sustained a high tempo of kinetic and non-kinetic operations across all theatres of operations throughout October 2026, sequel to activities of the preceding months in the campaign against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality.
According to the Defence Headquarters on Friday, at the monthly media briefing delivered by the Director of Defence Operation, DMO, Major General Michael Onoja, between 30 September and 30 October 2026, troops, supported by the Air Component and working closely with other security agencies and local security groups, repelled determined terrorist attacks. Troops rescued over 150 abducted and kidnapped citizens, neutralised scores of terrorists, received the surrender of more than 50 terrorist fighters and family members, and dismantled logistics, intelligence, as well as arms trafficking networks across the nation.
According to Onoja, among the defining operations of the month were the neutralisation of a senior ISWAP leader in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on 2 October 2026. This was in addition to troops fending off a determined ISWAP assault on Kukawa town between 6 and 7 October 2026.
Defence headquarters revealed that other notable operations include the successful rescue and safe return of 20 abducted prospective corps members in Imo State and the successful repelling of a large Lakurawa attack in Maiyama LGA of Kebbi State, both on 7 October 2026.
” In addition, troops rescued 29 farmers in Mariga on 15 October 2026 and 27 villagers at Gamji on 16 October 2026.” He stressed.
In the North East geopolitical zone, Operation HADIN KAI has intensified its efforts against terrorism, particularly in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States. Throughout the month, the operation resulted in the neutralisation of 162 terrorists, the rescue of 39 kidnap victims, and the arrest of 98 individuals linked to terrorist activities, with an additional 68 terrorists surrendering. Notable operations included a coordinated effort on 1 October 2026 in Gombi LGA, where troops eliminated five terrorists and seized multiple firearms and ammunition.
On 6 October 2026, a significant engagement occurred when ISWAP terrorists attempted to infiltrate Kukawa town in Borno State. Troops, with air support, successfully countered the attack, resulting in the neutralisation of 25 terrorists and the recovery of substantial weaponry, including six AK-47 rifles and various types of ammunition. Furthermore, on 12 October 2026, troops repelled an attack in Hong LGA, neutralising one terrorist and subsequently discovering additional weaponry, including a PKT machine gun and over 270 rounds of ammunition. These operations underscore the ongoing commitment and effectiveness of the Joint Task Force in combating terrorism in the region.
Following a terrorist attack on troops in Mairari, Guzamala LGA, Borno State, clearance operations conducted from October 16 to 18, 2026, resulted in the recovery of significant military equipment, including eight AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 300 rounds of PKT ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenade bombs with chargers, a handheld radio, and a motorcycle. On October 28, troops successfully ambushed terrorists at Kassasewa in Mafa LGA, seizing five additional rocket-propelled grenade bombs and 175 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition.
In terms of rescue operations, between October 4 and 8, 2026, troops successfully freed two female abductees near Kuranabasa in Gwoza LGA and facilitated the return of three escapees from Cameroon, who were handed over to the Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalion at Kirawa. Additionally, troops rescued three individuals who had been held captive for seven years in Armuda and three others in Gava, both located in Gwoza LGA. On October 23, 2026, troops apprehended a kidnapper in Azir Village, Damboa LGA, who was attempting to collect a ransom of Seven Million Naira (₦7,000,000).
Throughout October 2026, there was a notable increase in the number of terrorist fighters and their families surrendering to military forces in various locations within Borno State, including Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Konduga, Mafa, and Monguno. Over 50 individuals cited severe hunger, difficult living conditions, and violent conflicts among rival terrorist groups as their primary motivations for abandoning their affiliations. Additionally, a suspect who surrendered in Buni Gari, Yobe State, revealed that he had been recruited via a social media platform in 2024.
In parallel operations, military troops successfully disrupted terrorist logistics and intelligence networks. On October 3, 2026, several suspected logistics suppliers and informants were apprehended in Tarmuwa and Kanama, Yobe State. Further arrests occurred in Benisheikh, Damboa, Gubio, Monguno, and Ngurusoye between October 10 and 22. Additionally, from October 23 to 25, troops detained an individual responsible for collecting illegal levies imposed by terrorists at the Geidam market.
In the North West geopolitical zone, Operation FANSAN YAMMA effectively targeted terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, resulting in the neutralisation of 18 terrorists, the rescue of 167 kidnap victims, and the arrest of 10 individuals involved in terrorist activities throughout October 2026. Notable incidents included a successful counterattack against Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State, where troops neutralised 10 attackers and seized significant weaponry. Additionally, troops conducted multiple rescues, including the retrieval of victims and the recovery of a ransom amounting to ₦10 million.
Efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics led to the arrest of collaborators involved in kidnapping operations.
In the North Central zone, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD focused on combating terrorism and kidnapping in Kwara and Niger States, resulting in the neutralisation of 3 terrorists and the rescue of 29 victims. Key operations included the rescue of 18 individuals from an abduction in Kwara and the apprehension of a wanted terrorist kingpin in Niger. Operation ENDURING PEACE also made strides in disrupting kidnapping and arms trafficking in Kaduna and Plateau States, with 6 criminals neutralised and 84 arrests made, including a suspect linked to previous attacks.
Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North Central zone reported significant successes against kidnapping and arms trafficking, neutralising 24 terrorists and rescuing 68 victims. Troops conducted ambushes and raids, recovering firearms and ammunition while dismantling criminal networks. In the South-South region, Operation DELTA SAFE targeted kidnapping and crude oil theft, leading to the neutralisation of 2 criminals, the arrest of 45 individuals, and the dismantling of 49 illegal refining sites. Troops also restored order in Cross River State and conducted successful anti-kidnapping operations in Edo State, further enhancing security in the region.
The Joint Task Force South East, under Operation UDO KA, has intensified efforts against kidnapping, secessionist activities, and criminality in Abia, Anambra, and Imo States. In October 2026, troops neutralised two terrorists, arrested 22 criminals, and rescued 33 civilians, including 20 individuals abducted from commercial buses on the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway. Following a coordinated response, the troops successfully rescued the abducted prospective NYSC corps members and apprehended five members of the kidnapping syndicate, recovering significant weaponry in the process. In Anambra State, operations led to the rescue of three abducted individuals and the neutralisation of ten terrorists, alongside the recovery of firearms and materials for explosive devices.
In other significant operations, a combined security force operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State, resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists, including a senior ISWAP leader involved in planning attacks during the festive season. The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) also engaged in various Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities aimed at enhancing community welfare, including medical outreach programs and infrastructure development projects across multiple states.
The AFN’s operations in October 2026 demonstrated increased pressure on adversaries, with notable successes in neutralising over 217 terrorists and criminals, arresting 333 individuals, and rescuing 349 kidnap victims. The operations also led to the recovery of significant quantities of arms and ammunition, alongside the disruption of oil theft activities, resulting in the recovery of over 756,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Despite these successes, the AFN faced challenges, including 98 recorded attacks across various operations, with the Chief of Defence Staff expressing condolences for civilian casualties in recent terrorist attacks.
The Chief of Defence Staff commended the troops for their resilience and urged continued discipline and adherence to rules of engagement. He emphasised the importance of collaboration among security agencies and the need for community involvement in reporting threats. The AFN remains committed to ensuring peace and security across Nigeria, encouraging public cooperation in providing timely information to combat terrorism and criminal activities effectively.
