By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians, arrested 1,333 terrorist and criminal suspects and neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals during military operations across the country in the third quarter of 2026.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly and Third Quarter Media Briefing in Abuja, saying troops also received the surrender of 333 insurgents during the period.
Onoja said troops recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, while 104 illegal refining sites were dismantled and more than 1.61 million litres of stolen petroleum products recovered in operations across the country.
He said Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East neutralised 273 terrorists, arrested 348 suspects, rescued 297 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 331 insurgents and their family members during the quarter.
In the North-West, Onoja said Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 230 terrorists, arrested 147 suspects and rescued 508 kidnapped victims, while operations in the North-Central region also recorded arrests, rescues, weapons recoveries and the clearance of improvised explosive devices.
According to him, Operation Delta Safe in the South-South arrested 181 criminals, destroyed 104 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 1.61 million litres of stolen petroleum products during the quarter.
He added that Operation UDO KA in the South-East neutralised 10 terrorists, arrested 75 suspects, rescued 20 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of two secessionists.
The Defence Headquarters also disclosed that the AFN recorded 367 attacks across various theatres during the third quarter, with Operation Enduring Peace recording 147, Fansan Yamma 115, Whirl Stroke 55, Hadin Kai 33, Savannah Shield 13 and UDO KA four, while Delta Safe recorded no attacks.
Onoja said operational figures fluctuated from month to month, reflecting changes in the security environment. He noted that September alone recorded 581 civilians rescued, 345 arrests, 75 surrenders, 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition recovered.
The Defence Media Operations Director said the AFN would sustain kinetic and non-kinetic operations nationwide, strengthen collaboration with other security agencies and local communities, and continue efforts to protect lives and property, safeguard critical national infrastructure and improve security across the country.
