Troops Kill 217 Terrorists, Rescue 349 Kidnap Victims In October – DHQ

Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces killed 217 terrorists, arrested 333 suspected terrorists and rescued 349 kidnapped victims across the country in October 2026, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday, adding that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops during the period.

He said the troops also recovered 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition, while operations against crude oil theft led to the recovery of 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products and the destruction of 49 illegal refining sites.

Onoja said troops recorded significant successes against kidnapping syndicates in Kano and Borno States, recovering a total of ₦17 million suspected to be ransom.

He disclosed that between October 16 and 17, troops tracked kidnappers to Yan Taburmi in Falgore Forest, Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State, where they killed two suspects, rescued a victim and recovered ₦10 million suspected to be ransom.

Similarly, on October 23, troops tracked and arrested a suspected kidnapper who was attempting to collect ₦7 million in ransom at Azir Village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The defence spokesman said the Armed Forces recorded 98 attacks across various theatres of operation between September 30 and October 30.

He, however, said troops responded decisively to the attacks, engaging the assailants with superior firepower and successfully repelling them.

Giving a breakdown of the attacks, Onoja said Operation HADIN KAI recorded 27, Operation FANSAN YAMMA 24, Operation ENDURING PEACE 29, Operation WHIRL STROKE 12 and Operation UDO KA (OPUK) four.

Operations DELTA SAFE and SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded one attack each.

He acknowledged that the month was not without tragic incidents, particularly the terrorist attacks in Binari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, on October 23, which claimed the lives of civilians.

Reacting to the incident, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, extended his condolences to the Taraba State Government, the people of the state and the families of those killed.

Oluyede assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

He said the loss of innocent lives would only strengthen the military’s resolve to protect lives and property across the country.

The defence chief commended troops for their resilience across the various theatres of operation and urged them to remain disciplined, uphold the rules of engagement and respect human rights.

He also warned troops against complacency, particularly as the festive season approaches.

Oluyede appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to report security threats promptly, reject mob action and deny criminals safe havens within their communities.

He urged the media to ensure accuracy when reporting sensitive communal issues, warning against publications capable of inflaming tensions or compromising ongoing military operations.

The CDS further warned that terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners would face the consequences of their activities once arrested.

He called on members of the public to continue providing timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free security line 193.

According to him, all information received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said troops on internal operations across the country killed 217 terrorists, arrested 333 suspected terrorists while 349 kidnapped hostages were rescued in October 2026.

The Director Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja briefing Journalists on Friday said 70 terrorists surrendered to troops with 105 arms and 3174 rounds of ammunition.

He said troops between 16 – 17 October 2026 tracked kidnappers to Yan Taburmi in Falgore Forest, Tudun Wada LGA of Kano State, killed two, rescued the victim and recovered the sum of ₦10,000,000 suspected to be ransom.

Relatedly, troops on 23 October 2026 tracked and arrested a kidnapper attempting to collect ₦7,000,000 in ransom at Azir Village in Damboa LGA of Borno State.

Cumulatively, troops recovered N17,000,000 from terrorists and kidnap syndicates in Borno and Kano States.

He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria between September 30 to October 30 recorded 98 attacks across theatres of operations.

He however,said these attacks were responded to decisively with troops engaging the assailants with superior firepower and successfully repelled the attacks.

In the fight against oil theft, he said troops recovered 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil and destroyed 49 illegal refining sites.

He said “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,”.

He continued “during the period under review, the AFN recorded a total of 98 attacks across various theatres of operation,”.
Giving a breakdown of those attacks, he said troops of 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 four, while Operation DELTA SAFE and Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded 1 attack each.
He admitted that the month was however,not without some sad events.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede reacting to the development extended his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Taraba especially the families of the civilians who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Binari, Karim Lamido LGA on 23 October 2026.

The CDS assured the nation that no effort will be spared to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The CDS reaffirmed that the loss of all innocent lives will only strengthen the resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect lives and property.

The Defence Chief commended the resilience of troops across all theatres of operation and urged them to remain disciplined, always uphold the rules of engagement and respect for human rights.

He further urged them to guard against complacency, particularly with the approach of the festive season.

Oluyede appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and all stakeholders to report threats promptly, reject mob action and refuse safe havens to criminals.
He also called on the media to aim for accuracy particularly on sensitive communal matters so that no report inflames tension or compromises ongoing operations.
He warned that no terrorists informants or collaborator will escape just once arrested.

“The CDS further warns that terrorist collaborators, informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners will not be spared, once arrested,”.
General Oluyede called on the general public to continue providing timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193.

“You are assured that all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” he said.