Troops Kill 217 Terrorists, Arrest 333, Rescue 349 Kidnap Victims in October — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces killed 217 terrorists and other suspected criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnapped victims during nationwide security operations in October 2026.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures on Friday, October 30, while presenting the military’s monthly operational report at Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

According to Onoja, the operations covered the period between September 30 and October 30 and involved military personnel working alongside other security agencies and local security groups.

The military also reported that 70 insurgents surrendered, while troops recovered 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition.

In operations against crude oil theft, security forces recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products and dismantled 49 illegal refining sites.

The figures reflect the military’s account of its activities across different operational theatres and have not been independently verified by CentralNewsNG.

Military Records 98 Attacks Across Nigeria

Providing an assessment of security developments during the month, Onoja said the Armed Forces recorded 98 attacks across their operational theatres.

The highest number was reported under Operation Enduring Peace, which recorded 29 attacks in Plateau and Kaduna states.

Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East recorded 27 attacks, while Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West recorded 24.

Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 12 attacks, Operation Udo Ka recorded four, and Operations Delta Safe and Savannah Shield recorded one attack each.

The military said its personnel responded to the incidents through ground operations, intelligence gathering, air support and cooperation with other security agencies.

Separate reporting on the briefing indicated that the number of recorded attacks declined from 367 in September to 98 in October, representing a reduction of approximately 73.3 per cent.

However, a reduction in recorded attacks within military operational theatres does not necessarily mean that every form of insecurity declined nationwide.

The figures measure incidents reported within the military’s stated operational framework.

Troops Record Operations Against Boko Haram and ISWAP

In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai continued operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

According to the Defence Headquarters, the operation accounted for 162 terrorists killed, 98 suspects arrested and 39 kidnapped victims rescued during the reporting period.

The military also recorded the surrender of 68 insurgents in the region.

Onoja said troops disrupted suspected terrorist supply routes, intelligence networks and logistics operations across parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

One of the significant incidents reported during the month was an attempted ISWAP attack on Kukawa in Borno State between October 6 and 7.

The military said troops repelled the assault, killing 25 suspected terrorists and recovering weapons and ammunition.

Another operation on October 2 reportedly resulted in the killing of Abdussamad Ohida, identified by the military as a senior ISWAP commander operating in central Nigeria.

The military described these operations as part of its efforts to weaken armed groups and restrict their ability to organise attacks.

167 Kidnap Victims Rescued in North-West

The Defence Headquarters reported that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 167 kidnapped people across the North-West during October.

The operation also resulted in the killing of 18 suspected terrorists and the arrest of 10 suspects, according to the military.

Among the incidents highlighted was an attack by suspected Lakurawa fighters in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on October 7.

Onoja said the attackers approached on motorcycles while carrying firearms and other weapons.

Troops reportedly repelled the attack, killing 10 suspected fighters and recovering weapons and communication equipment.

The military also reported the rescue of 27 villagers abducted from Gamji community in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State on October 16.

Nine other kidnapped people were rescued during an operation in Malumfashi on October 28.

These incidents formed part of the wider security operations targeting kidnapping and armed criminal groups in the region.

Troops Rescue Abducted NYSC Members in Imo

In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka recorded the rescue of 33 civilians, the arrest of 22 suspects and the killing of two suspected terrorists, according to the military’s operational breakdown.

One of the most widely reported incidents involved prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Imo State.

The victims were travelling to their orientation camps when armed men attacked their vehicles.

Following a security operation, 20 prospective corps members and other passengers were rescued on October 7.

The Defence Headquarters said security operatives subsequently arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate connected to the incident.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered during follow-up operations.

The rescue attracted public attention because of concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling across the country.

Military Reports Operations in North-Central States

In the North-Central region, troops continued operations against suspected kidnappers, armed groups and weapons traffickers.

Under Operation Whirl Stroke, the military reported killing 24 suspected terrorists, rescuing 68 kidnapped people and arresting 71 suspects.

The operations covered parts of Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.

The military said some of the rescued victims had been abducted while travelling on major roads.

In one incident, troops reportedly rescued 11 passengers kidnapped from a commercial vehicle along the Ayere–Kabba Road.

Operation Savannah Shield also recorded the rescue of 29 kidnapped people, the killing of three suspected terrorists and the arrest of three suspects.

Meanwhile, Operation Enduring Peace reported six suspected criminals killed, 13 kidnapped people rescued and 84 suspects arrested.

The military said these operations also targeted suspected arms dealers and individuals believed to be supplying criminal groups.

49 Illegal Refineries Destroyed in Niger Delta

Beyond counterterrorism and kidnapping operations, the Armed Forces continued efforts to combat crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Onoja said troops dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products during October.

The operations were conducted under Operation Delta Safe, in collaboration with other security formations.

The military reported the arrest of 45 suspects and the killing of two suspected criminals during operations in the South-South.

Illegal refining and oil theft remain major concerns because of their economic, environmental and security implications.

The military said its activities were aimed at disrupting illegal refining networks and protecting petroleum infrastructure.

The reported seizures and arrests will require appropriate investigation and legal processes to establish individual criminal responsibility.

DHQ Condemns Killing of Civilians in Taraba

Despite the reported operational gains, the Defence Headquarters acknowledged that civilians continued to lose their lives in attacks.

Onoja referred to the October 23 attack on Binari community in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, where civilians were killed.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, expressed condolences to the affected families and the Taraba State Government.

He assured residents that the military would continue efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.

The incident illustrates the continuing threat posed by armed groups, even as security agencies report successful operations in other parts of the country.

Defence Chief Urges Troops to Respect Human Rights

Oluyede commended military personnel for their efforts across the operational theatres but warned against complacency.

He urged troops to remain disciplined and comply with the rules of engagement and human rights standards.

The Defence Chief also called for stronger intelligence sharing and coordination between the military, other security agencies and local communities.

Traditional rulers, community leaders and residents were encouraged to report suspicious activities and avoid providing shelter or assistance to criminal groups.

The military also appealed to journalists to verify security-related information carefully, particularly reports involving communal tensions or ongoing operations.

Members of the public were encouraged to provide security information through the military’s toll-free line, 193.

What the October Security Figures Mean

The October report provides a summary of the military’s reported activities against terrorism, kidnapping, armed criminality and oil theft.

The rescue of 349 kidnapped people represents an important outcome for affected families, while the reported arrests and weapons recoveries may support further investigations.

However, the figures alone cannot establish the overall safety of every community in Nigeria.

A broader assessment would require independently verified information on civilian casualties, displacement, kidnapping incidents, prosecutions and the long-term security situation in affected areas.

For the 333 people arrested, the allegations against them remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

The Defence Headquarters said operations would continue across the country, particularly as security agencies prepare for the approaching festive season.

Sources: Defence Headquarters operational briefing of October 30, 2026, as reported by Independent Newspaper Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria, News Agency of Nigeria, TheCable and Punch.