Army records 367 attacks, 85.8% drop in killings, rescues 1,736 kidnap victims

The House of Representatives has commended the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) under Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, following his stance and the frontline troops’ resolve to rid parts of the country of terrorists disturbing the peace.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), yesterday, said it killed 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 others and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians across the country in the third quarter of 2026.

However, the military recorded 367 attacks across its various operational theatres between July and September, with Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) accounting for the highest number at 147, followed by Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) with 115.

The figures werev contained in the third-quarter operational update presented by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj-Gen. Michael Onoja, at the DHQ Combined Monthly/Third Quarter media briefing in Abuja.

Onoja said troops also recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, while 333 insurgents and their family members surrendered during the period.

He noted that the attacks recorded during the quarter were distributed across the various theatres, with Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) recording 33, Operation Savannah Shield (OPSS) 13, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) 55 and Operation Udo Ka (OPUK) four. Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) recorded no attacks.

According to him, troops responded to the attacks through kinetic and non-kinetic operations, resulting in the neutralisation of terrorists and criminals, rescue of abducted civilians and disruption of criminal logistics and arms networks.

He said: “The scale of successes recorded for the Q3 2026 ranged from the naturalisation of 554 terrorists and criminals, arrest of 1,333 terrorist/criminals, rescue of 1,736 civilians, surrender of 333 insurgents, capture of 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites, and recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products, representing a significant degradation of criminal and terrorist operational capacity nationwide.

“During the period under review, the AFN recorded 367 attacks across various theatres of operation. OPHK recorded 33 attacks, OPFY recorded 115, OPSS recorded 13, OPEP recorded 147, OPWS recorded 55, and OPUK recorded four.”

The military spokesman said the operations also targeted economic crimes, leading to the dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 1.61 million litres of petroleum products during the quarter.

Onoja, however, disclosed that the operational figures fluctuated sharply from one month to another.
The green chamber lawmakers’ commendation came amid intensified efforts by Nigerian military troops deployed across different theatres of operations in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Borno, andother places.

The House deputy spokesperson, Philip Agbese, disclosed that the AFN moved beyond rhetoric in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Agbese, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker from Benue State, described recent military operations as evidence of growing pressure on terrorist networks across the country.

According to him, the reported neutralisation of terrorists, rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of weapons and arrest of suspects in some parts of the country showed that troops were increasingly taking the battle to criminal groups rather than merely responding to attacks.

According to him, stronger cooperation among security agencies and between federal, state and local authorities was equally necessary because terrorist and bandit networks often operate across administrative boundaries.

While acknowledging that significant security challenges remain, Agbese said the recent operational successes represented an important shift in the fight against terrorism.

“We must sustain the momentum and deny terrorists the opportunity to regroup,” he said.

He expressed confidence that continued military pressure, improved intelligence, stronger inter-agency cooperation and adequate support for troops would further weaken terrorist networks and create conditions for the restoration of normal life in affected communities.