By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Armed Forces sustained a broad-based military campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality across the country in September, building on months of sustained operations that produced significant results throughout the third quarter of 2026.
From the North-East and North-West to the North-Central, South-East and the oil-producing creeks of the Niger Delta, troops carried out offensive operations, rescued kidnapped civilians, disrupted terrorist and criminal networks, recovered arms and ammunition and dismantled illegal refining infrastructure during the period under review.
Giving an overview of the operations, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces neutralised 52 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 350 suspects and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians during September. The operations also led to the surrender of 75 insurgents, recovery of 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, destruction of eight illegal refining sites and recovery of more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products.
The September performance formed part of a wider third-quarter operational campaign in which the Armed Forces neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians between July and September.
During the same three-month period, 333 insurgents surrendered to the military, while troops recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition. Operations against illegal oil refining also recorded major gains, with 104 illegal refining sites dismantled and more than 1.61 million litres of petroleum products recovered.
Across the various theatres, the operations reflected the Armed Forces’ continued reliance on offensive action, intelligence-led operations, air support and collaboration with other security agencies to contain threats and protect communities.
In the North-East, Operation HADIN KAI maintained pressure on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province elements during September. Troops neutralised 27 terrorists, arrested 49 suspects and rescued 103 kidnapped victims, while more than 70 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to the authorities.
One of the notable developments during the month was the interception of 44 terrorist family members comprising 13 women and 31 children in Konduga and Bama Local Government Areas of Borno State. The operation further demonstrated the military’s focus on disrupting the support networks surrounding terrorist groups.
The operation’s third-quarter figures showed the scale of the sustained campaign, with 273 terrorists neutralised, 348 suspects arrested and 297 kidnapped civilians rescued between July and September. A total of 331 insurgents also surrendered within the period.
In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA continued offensive operations against armed groups and criminal elements. Troops neutralised seven terrorists, arrested 26 suspects and rescued 171 kidnapped civilians in September.
Air operations also contributed to the gains recorded in the theatre, with more than 60 kidnapped victims escaping after an air operation around Bazama and Sakaba in Kebbi State.
The quarter recorded 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 arrests and 508 kidnapped civilians rescued under the operation, underscoring the sustained pressure on criminal networks across the region.
Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD also recorded significant activity during the period, with troops neutralising five terrorists, arresting two suspects and rescuing 27 kidnapped civilians in September. Twelve improvised explosive devices were also cleared during the month.
Its cumulative third-quarter figures stood at 16 terrorists neutralised, 36 suspects arrested and 365 kidnapped civilians rescued.
In the North-Central, Operation ENDURING PEACE continued operations against criminal elements, particularly in areas affected by kidnapping and other violent crimes. The troops neutralised nine criminals, arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped civilians during September.
For the third quarter, the operation recorded 16 criminals neutralised, 344 arrests and 74 kidnapped civilians rescued.
Similarly, Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained pressure on criminal elements in its area of responsibility. Troops neutralised one criminal, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped civilians in September.
The operation’s cumulative third-quarter performance included nine criminals neutralised, 202 suspects arrested and 397 kidnapped civilians rescued.
In the South-East, Operation UDO KA recorded further gains against criminal and secessionist elements. Three criminals were neutralised, 28 suspects arrested and six kidnapped civilians rescued during September.
Troops also arrested a suspected improvised explosive device fabricator near Okigwe and engaged criminal elements in Obibi Forest.
Between July and September, Operation UDO KA recorded 10 criminals neutralised, 75 arrests and 20 kidnapped civilians rescued, while two secessionists surrendered.
Beyond counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations, the Armed Forces also intensified efforts to protect Nigeria’s economic assets through Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta.
During September, troops arrested 33 suspected oil thieves and destroyed eight illegal refining sites, while recovering more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products.
The Nigerian Navy also recorded major successes under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, including the discovery and deactivation of illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The operations resulted in the recovery of thousands of litres of automotive gas oil and suspected stolen crude oil.
Other operations in the waterways led to the recovery of additional quantities of suspected stolen crude oil, further disrupting illegal activities that threaten Nigeria’s oil economy and the environment.
For the third quarter, Operation DELTA SAFE recorded 181 arrests, the destruction of 104 illegal refining sites and the recovery of more than 1.61 million litres of petroleum products.
The figures from September and the wider third quarter point to a sustained operational tempo across Nigeria’s multiple security theatres. Rather than being concentrated in one region, the military campaign stretched from terrorist strongholds in the North-East and criminal enclaves in the North-West to kidnapping hotspots in the North-Central, separatist-linked violence in the South-East and illegal oil operations in the Niger Delta.
The Armed Forces’ activities during the period also extended beyond kinetic operations.
In Enugu State, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association continued its skills acquisition and empowerment initiatives, while the Nwanna Arinze Foundation supported communities through a Back-to-School initiative that provided school bags and learning materials.
In Yobe State, the military also engaged more than 300 students in an anti-drug awareness campaign, reflecting the broader emphasis on preventive security, community engagement and civil-military cooperation.
The third-quarter review therefore provides a wider picture of the operational pressure maintained by the Armed Forces throughout the period. From July to September, hundreds of terrorists and criminals were neutralised or arrested, more than 1,700 kidnapped civilians were rescued, hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition were recovered, while illegal refining networks were repeatedly targeted.
At the same time, the military leadership continued to emphasise the importance of personnel welfare and public cooperation in sustaining the campaign. The Chief of Defence Staff commended troops and other security agencies for their sacrifices and urged Nigerians to support ongoing security efforts by providing credible information through established channels.
The Defence Headquarters also highlighted initiatives aimed at easing economic pressures on serving and retired military personnel and their families, including an online discount platform developed in partnership with Zinox Group.
Taken together, September’s operations and the third-quarter figures present a picture of a military campaign being fought across multiple fronts simultaneously. The emphasis has remained on taking the fight to terrorist and criminal networks, rescuing victims, disrupting logistics, recovering weapons and cutting off the economic channels that sustain organised criminal activity.
With the final quarter of the year ahead, the operational record of September and the third quarter provides the latest snapshot of the Armed Forces’ continuing campaign to contain insecurity, protect communities and safeguard Nigeria’s strategic economic interests.
