The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops have killed 217 terrorists and rescued 349 kidnapped victims, while recovering large caches of arms during nationwide military operations in October 2026.
The DHQ disclosed this during its monthly media briefing, stating that troops also received the surrender of about 70 terrorist fighters and family members, dismantled criminal logistics and arms-trafficking networks, and destroyed illegal oil refineries across the country.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 162 terrorists, arrested 98 and rescued 39 kidnap victims, while 68 terrorists surrendered. Operations included repelling an ISWAP attack on Kukawa, Borno State, in which 25 terrorists were killed.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops killed 18 terrorists, rescued 167 kidnap victims and arrested 10 suspects. They also repelled a major Lakurawa attack involving more than 100 motorcycles in Maiyama, Kebbi State, killing 10 terrorists.
In the North-Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops neutralised 24 terrorists, arrested 71 and rescued 68 kidnap victims. Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 29 victims and killed three terrorists, while Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued 13 kidnap victims and arrested 84 suspects.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops arrested 45 suspects, dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of petroleum products. In the South-East, Operation UDO KA troops arrested 22 suspects and rescued 33 civilians, including prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State.
The DHQ also highlighted the killing of senior ISWAP commander Abdussamad Ohida in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2. Ohida, who reportedly became the group’s leader in Central Nigeria following the arrest of his predecessor in 2023, was allegedly involved in planning attacks across several states during the forthcoming festive season.
The military said operations would continue across all theatres to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities.
