By Emameh Gabriel
The Defence Headquarters has reported a 73.3 per cent reduction in attacks across Nigeria’s military operational theatres in October 2026, saying troops recorded 98 incidents compared with 367 in September — a reduction of 269 attacks within one month.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists on the military’s activities across the country.
“During the period under review, the AFN recorded a total of 98 attacks across various theatres of operation,” Onoja said.
“Operation Hadin Kai recorded 27 attacks, Operation Fansan Yamma recorded 24, Operation Enduring Peace recorded 29, Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 12, Operation Udo Ka recorded four, while Operation Delta Safe and Operation Savannah Shield recorded one attack each,” he said.
On operational gains, the defence spokesman stated: “Throughout the month, over 217 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, with 333 terrorists and criminals arrested and 349 kidnap victims rescued.”
“Additionally, 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition were recovered,” he added.
“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 the destruction of 49 illegal refining sites,” Onoja said.
The October figure marked a significant decline from September, when 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.
Despite the reported improvement, the military acknowledged deadly attacks in parts of the country, including the October 23 attack in Binari community, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, assured Nigerians that efforts would be intensified to tackle insecurity and bring those responsible for attacks to justice. Onoja said troops responded decisively to attacks recorded across the various theatres, engaging assailants with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres to repel them.
The military also disclosed the killing of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2. Ohida was reportedly involved in planning attacks across several states ahead of the festive season.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 18 terrorists, rescued 167 kidnap victims, and arrested 10 terrorists, while one terrorist surrendered.
Onoja said troops also recovered a total of ₦17 million suspected to be ransom in separate operations in Kano and Borno States.
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