The Armed Forces of Nigeria rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians and arrested 1,333 suspects during security operations across the country in the third quarter of 2026.
The military also neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, while 333 insurgents surrendered during the three-month period.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures while presenting the military’s operational review for the quarter.
He said troops recovered 244 firearms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 104 illegal refining sites and seized more than 1.6 million litres of stolen petroleum products.
Onoja said the results reflected sustained military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other security threats across the country.
According to him, troops recorded 367 attacks across the various operational theatres during the period.
Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number of attacks at 147, followed by Operation Fansan Yamma with 115 and Operation Whirl Stroke with 55.
Operation Hadin Kai recorded 33 attacks, while Savannah Shield and Udo Ka recorded 13 and four, respectively. Operation Delta Safe recorded no attacks during the quarter.
Onoja said troops responded to the attacks with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, neutralising attackers, forcing others to flee and preventing them from achieving their objectives.
He added that the operations led to the rescue of abducted civilians, clearance of improvised explosive devices, destruction of suspected terrorist camps and recovery of weapons and ammunition.
The military also protected communities, major supply routes and critical national infrastructure during the operations.
Giving the figures for September, Onoja said troops neutralised 52 terrorists and criminals, arrested 350 suspects and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians.
He added that 75 insurgents surrendered during the month, while troops recovered 52 firearms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition.
The military also dismantled eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products in September.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifice in the ongoing security operations.
He also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies and local security groups to the military’s efforts.
Oluyede further commended Zinox Group for partnering with the Armed Forces to establish an online discount store for serving and retired military personnel and their families, saying the initiative would improve their welfare and morale.
Onoja urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to provide timely and credible information to security agencies through the nearest military formation or the toll-free line 193.
He assured the public that information supplied would be treated with utmost confidentiality, stressing that national security remained a shared responsibility.
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