By ZAKAA Lazarus
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained operational tempo across all theatres in September and the third quarter (Q3) of 2026, neutralising hundreds of terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering over 1.6 million litres of stolen petroleum products.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this at the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly/Third Quarter briefing covering 31 August to 30 September 2026.
In the North-East, under Operation HADIN KAI, troops neutralised 27 terrorists, arrested 49, rescued 103 victims and received 73 surrendered fighters and family members in September. For Q3, 273 were killed, 348 arrested, 297 rescued and 331 surrendered. Troops foiled an IED attack along the Miyanti-Banki Junction supply route, repelled a large-scale attack at Gajiram with helicopter gunship support, and rescued 44 family members of terrorists at Konduga who fled rival factional clashes. Surrendered fighters cited hunger and harsh conditions in the Mandara Mountains and Lake Chad region.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA killed seven terrorists, arrested 26 and rescued 171 victims in September. In Q3, 230 were killed, 147 arrested and 508 rescued. Troops raided kingpins’ hideouts in Yantumaki Forest, Katsina, Magarya Forest, Sokoto and Arewa Dandi, Kebbi, recovering rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns. A major air interdiction at Bazama in Sakaba LGA, Kebbi on 17 September disrupted terrorists’ movement and enabled over 60 victims to escape.
In the North-Central, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in Kwara and Niger neutralised five terrorists, arrested two and rescued 27 in September, while defusing 12 IEDs in Borgu and Kaiama LGAs. In Q3, 16 killed, 36 arrested, 365 rescued. Operation ENDURING PEACE in Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi killed nine, arrested 155 and rescued 28 in September; Q3 stood at 16 killed, 344 arrested, 74 rescued. Operation WHIRL STROKE in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Taraba killed one, arrested 57 and rescued 320 in September, including 18 bus passengers at Akwanga; Q3 recorded nine killed, 202 arrested and 397 rescued.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered 304,822 litres of petroleum products in September. Troops uncovered 87,000 litres at Aworkiri and 182,000 litres at Bethel Creek, Rivers State. Personnel of NNS SOROH deactivated two sites at Ogbogolo with 33,800 litres recovered. In Q3, 181 criminals were arrested, 104 sites destroyed and over 1.61 million litres recovered.
In the South-East, Operation UDO KA killed three criminals, arrested 28 and rescued six in September, dismantling a bunkering site at Egbema West, Imo State, and arresting an IED fabrication expert at Okigwe. Q3 figures were 10 killed, 75 arrested, 20 rescued and two surrendered.
The DHQ said the AFN will consolidate gains through kinetic and non-kinetic measures to restore stability nationwide.
