According to recent reports, the Nigerian Armed Forces achieved a significant reduction in violent incidents across multiple operational zones throughout October 2026.
Checks showed that only 98 attacks were recorded during the month under review, representing a 73.3 per cent decline from the 367 attacks recorded in September.
A breakdown of the October figures showed that Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number of attacks with 29 incidents, followed by Operation Hadin Kai with 27 and Operation Fansan Yamma with 24.
Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 12 attacks, while Operation Udo Ka recorded four. Operations Delta Safe and Savannah Shield recorded one attack each.
Specifically, the October figure represents a decline of 269 attacks compared with the previous month’s total of 367.
This is just as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, assured Nigerians that the military would intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attacks and bring them to justice.
Oluyede also urged troops to remain disciplined, uphold the rules of engagement and respect human rights, while warning against complacency, particularly as the festive season approaches.
He called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint planning, while urging community leaders and residents to report suspicious activities to security formations or through the military’s toll-free line, 193.
Providing updates for Nigerians on military operations across the country, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, revealed that many kidnapped victims would continue to be freed from captivity.
“During the period under review, the AFN recorded a total of 98 attacks across various theatres of operation. Operation HADIN KAI recorded 27 attacks, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded 24, Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded 29, Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded 12, Operation UDO KA (OPUK) recorded 4, while Operation DELTA SAFE and Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded 1 attack each,” the breakdown was contained in a document released on Friday.
Earlier in September, Operation Enduring Peace recorded 147 attacks, Operation Fansan Yamma 115, Operation Whirl Stroke 55, Operation Hadin Kai 33, Operation Savannah Shield 13 and Operation Udo Ka four, while Operation Delta Safe recorded none.
The senior military officer explained that troops neutralised more than 217 terrorists and criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnap victims during the month.
He added that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
Onoja said the military also recovered 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 49 illegal refining sites during operations against crude oil theft.
“Throughout the month, over 217 terrorists and criminals were neutralized, with 333 terrorist/criminals arrested and 349 kidnap victims rescued.
“Additionally, 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 arms and 3174 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
“Similarly, the overall successes recorded in the fight against crude oil theft have continued to frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs, yielding the recovery of 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products and destruction of 49 illegal refining sites.
“Onoja said troops responded decisively to attacks recorded across the various theatres, engaging assailants with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres to repel them,” he said.
Terrorists surrender in droves in Northeast
In the North East geopolitical zone, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained relentless operations against terrorism and its support networks across Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States, with the Air Component providing decisive support.
During the month, troops neutralized 162 terrorists and rescued 39 kidnap victims, arrested 98 terrorists, while 68 terrorists surrendered.
A sustained wave of surrenders from terrorist enclaves was recorded throughout the month, with more than 50 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendering to troops at locations in Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Konduga, Mafa, and Monguno LGAs of Borno State.
The surrendered persons consistently cited hunger, hardship, and violent clashes between rival terrorist factions as their reasons for fleeing.
One suspect who surrendered to local security groups at Buni Gari in Gujba LGA of Yobe State on 17 October 2026 claimed to have been recruited through a social media group in 2024.
In related operations, troops disrupted terrorist logistics and intelligence networks across the theatre. Suspected logistics suppliers, informants and collaborators were arrested at Tarmuwa and Kanama in Yobe State on 3 October 2026.
Further arrests were made in Benisheikh, Damboa, Gubio, Monguno, and Ngurusoye between October 10th and 22nd, 2026.
Between 23rd and 25th October 2026, troops also arrested a collector of illegal levies imposed by terrorists at Geidam market.
Many kidnapped victims rescued in Northwest
In the Northwest geopolitical zone, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA sustained offensive operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping throughout the month across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
The development has been denying terrorists freedom of action as troops intensified operations to disrupt terrorist support and logistics networks.
During the month, troops neutralized 18 terrorists, rescued 167 kidnap victims, arrested 10 terrorists, while 1 terrorist surrendered.
Troops gun down terrorists in North Central
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD sustained operations against terrorism and kidnapping across Kwara and Niger States.
During the month, troops neutralized 3 terrorists, rescued 29 kidnap victims, arrested 3 terrorists, and facilitated the surrender of 1 terrorist.
On October 10th, 2026, troops responded to the abduction of residents from farmlands in the Eruku-Egbe-Koro Forest area of Ekiti LGA of Kwara State and rescued 18 kidnapped persons.
On 15 October 2026, troops at Bangi responded to a distress call of terrorists attempting to abduct farmers at Magaji Mai Kadarko Village, Bangi District, in Mariga LGA of Niger State.
Troops engaged them and rescued 29 residents from nearby bushes, although one resident had regrettably been killed by the terrorists before the arrival of troops.
Additionally, on 18 October 2026, a wanted terrorist kingpin and his accomplice at the kingpin’s residence were arrested in Mokwa town, Niger State, with efforts ongoing to apprehend other accomplices.
In a related operations, on October 26th, 2026, troops on a fighting patrol to Latan Daji in Patigi LGA of Kwara State, neutralised two kidnappers and rescued five kidnapped victims.
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, has killed two suspected bandits in Kabba-Bunu and Lokoja Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
Specifically, troops of Sector 3 of the JTF conducted the operation on Saturday, October 31, 2026, against suspected terrorists following an intelligence-led ambush along the Adankolo–Apata Road.
“Acting on the intelligence, troops laid an ambush at suspected bandits’ supply route. The troops subsequently made contact with the suspected criminals who were subdued and forced to flee.
“At about 0900 hours on the same day during exploitation, troops received information regarding the discovery of suspected bandits’ bodies towards Adankolo Forest.
“On arrival at the location, troops found corpses of the two suspected bandits and recovered one locally made pistol, one cartridge and one empty case of 7.62mm special ammunition”, the military high command revealed.
What You Should Know
The Nigerian military recorded a major breakthrough in October, with nationwide attacks falling from 367 in September to just 98. This 73.3% decline highlights the effectiveness of recent operations that led to the killing of 217 terrorists and the arrest of 333 suspects. Additionally, troops rescued 349 kidnap victims and recovered over 750,000 liters of stolen crude oil.
- Positive Impact: Increased safety for rural communities and travelers, a boost to the national economy through the disruption of oil theft, and a rise in the number of insurgents surrendering due to military pressure.
- Potential Concerns: Military leadership has warned against complacency, noting that security agencies must remain extra vigilant as the high-risk festive season approaches.
