Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Nigerian military recorded 367 attacks across its various operational theatres in September 2026, while troops said they killed 52 terrorists and criminals, arrested 350 suspects and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians during the month.
The figures were disclosed on Wednesday, September 30, by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, during a briefing on the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the country.
According to the military, the operations covered the major security theatres dealing with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, secessionist violence, oil theft and other forms of criminality.
The latest figures provide a monthly snapshot of the security situation as Nigerian forces continue operations across several regions where armed groups and criminal networks remain active.
Military Records 367 Attacks Nationwide
The Defence Headquarters said the 367 attacks recorded in September occurred across six major operational theatres.
Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number, with 147 incidents during the month.
Operation Fansan Yamma followed with 115 attacks, while Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 55.
Operation Hadin Kai, which operates mainly in the North-East, recorded 33 attacks. Operation Savannah Shield recorded 13, while Operation Udo Ka recorded four incidents.
The military said Operation Delta Safe recorded no attacks during the period.
Onoja said troops responded to the attacks through military engagements, tactical manoeuvres and other operations aimed at disrupting the assailants.
The distribution of attacks indicates that security challenges remained geographically widespread, rather than being concentrated in a single part of Nigeria.
52 Terrorists and Criminals Killed
The Defence Headquarters said troops neutralised 52 terrorists and criminals during September.
In military terminology, “neutralised” can refer to individuals killed during military operations, although the term may also be used more broadly in official operational reporting. The September briefing described the 52 individuals as terrorists and criminals neutralised during the period.
The military also reported the arrest of 350 terrorists and criminals.
The arrests form part of wider operations involving counter-terrorism, anti-kidnapping activities, intelligence gathering, arms interdiction and action against criminal networks.
However, the figures released by the military represent its own operational assessment. Individual incidents and classifications may require further investigation or corroboration by other authorities.
655 Kidnapped Civilians Rescued
One of the largest figures contained in the September operational report was the rescue of 655 kidnapped civilians.
The military said the rescues were carried out during operations across different parts of the country.
Kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s major security challenges, particularly in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, where criminal groups have continued to target communities, travellers, farmers and other civilians.
Military operations during September included efforts to disrupt kidnapping networks, intercept suspected collaborators and recover victims from captivity.
The number of people rescued also includes the outcome of different operations conducted across the various theatres rather than a single rescue operation.
Earlier briefings during September had already reported several rescue operations involving civilians held by terrorists and kidnappers.
For example, troops were reported to have rescued more than 60 kidnapped victims during operations between September 18 and 24, including victims recovered in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
75 Insurgents Surrender
Beyond combat operations and arrests, the military said 75 insurgents surrendered during September.
The surrender of fighters has increasingly formed part of Nigeria’s wider counter-insurgency strategy, particularly in areas affected by Boko Haram and related armed groups.
Military authorities have previously reported fighters and members of terrorist groups surrendering during operations in the North-East.
In early September, for instance, the Defence Headquarters reported the surrender of fighters and family members in parts of Borno State during operations against terrorist groups.
Surrenders can reduce the number of active fighters and provide security agencies with information about the structure, movement and logistics of armed groups.
However, the circumstances surrounding individual surrenders vary, and the military’s aggregate figure does not by itself establish the status or role of every person who surrendered.
Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
The Armed Forces also reported the recovery of 52 firearms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition during September.
The recovery of weapons and ammunition is significant to military operations because disrupting the supply of firearms can affect the ability of armed groups to sustain attacks.
The military has continued to report weapons recoveries during its weekly operational briefings.
In one September operation, troops reportedly recovered firearms and ammunition after engagements with suspected terrorists in different parts of the country. Other operations resulted in the arrest of suspected informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers.
The September figures indicate that weapons recovery remained an important part of the Armed Forces’ efforts to weaken terrorist and criminal networks.
Illegal Refining and Oil Theft Operations
The military’s September operations also extended beyond terrorism and kidnapping.
The Defence Headquarters said troops dismantled eight illegal refining sites during the month and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The operations were part of broader efforts to tackle oil theft and illegal petroleum activities, particularly in the Niger Delta and other areas where illegal refining and crude oil theft have affected the country’s energy sector.
The military has increasingly combined conventional security operations with efforts targeting economic crimes and criminal networks involved in the theft and illegal movement of petroleum products.
Such activities have implications beyond security because oil theft can affect government revenue, legitimate petroleum production and the wider Nigerian economy.
Security Operations Across Multiple Regions
The September figures show that Nigerian military operations remained active across several geopolitical zones.
In the North-East, Operation Hadin Kai continued to target Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province elements.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma focused on terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across states including Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Operation Whirl Stroke operated across parts of the North-Central, while Operation Enduring Peace continued security operations in Plateau and surrounding areas.
Operation Udo Ka addressed security threats in parts of the South-East, including activities involving suspected secessionist armed groups.
Operation Delta Safe remained focused on the Niger Delta, including threats associated with oil theft and other criminal activities.
Operation Savannah Shield also operated against security threats in parts of the North-Central region.
The range of operations demonstrates the breadth of responsibilities currently handled by Nigeria’s armed forces.
Third-Quarter Security Figures
The September figures also formed part of the military’s broader assessment of the third quarter of 2026.
Onoja said that during the third quarter, the Armed Forces neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals and arrested 1,333 others.
The military also reported rescuing 1,736 kidnapped civilians during the quarter.
It said 333 insurgents surrendered, while troops recovered 244 firearms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition.
The military further reported the dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites and the recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products during the three-month period.
Despite the operational figures announced by the military, the number of attacks recorded during September shows that significant security challenges remain across Nigeria.
The 367 attacks reported by the Defence Headquarters occurred despite sustained military operations in different parts of the country.
The figures also demonstrate the diverse nature of the threats confronting the Armed Forces.
Nigeria’s security challenges include terrorism in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central regions, armed separatist activity in parts of the South-East, and oil theft and related criminal activity in the Niger Delta.
The military’s figures therefore need to be considered alongside broader security developments, including attacks reported by state authorities, communities and other security agencies.
The operational data also does not by itself provide a complete measurement of Nigeria’s overall security situation because it primarily reflects activities reported by the Armed Forces.
Importance of Civilian Cooperation
Military authorities have repeatedly urged Nigerians to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
Community intelligence can assist security forces in identifying the movements of armed groups, locating kidnapped victims and disrupting criminal logistics.
Recent military briefings have also credited cooperation among security agencies, community leaders and civilians with assisting operations in different parts of the country.
However, effective security operations also depend on factors including intelligence quality, coordination among agencies, adequate equipment, judicial processes and measures to address the conditions that allow criminal networks to recruit and operate.
What Happens Next
The Nigerian military is expected to continue operations against terrorist groups, kidnappers, bandits, armed criminal networks and other security threats across the country.
The September operational figures will also form part of the military’s assessment of its performance during the third quarter of 2026.
For Nigerians, the more immediate concern will be whether the reported arrests, weapons recoveries, rescues and military engagements translate into fewer attacks and improved safety for communities.
The reported 655 rescued civilians represent people who were removed from captivity, but the continuing number of attacks shows that kidnapping and other forms of armed violence remain significant security concerns.
The next phase of military operations will therefore involve both offensive actions against armed groups and efforts to prevent the networks from rebuilding their capabilities.
The Defence Headquarters’ monthly and weekly briefings will provide further information on developments as the military continues operations across the country’s security theatres.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- Defence Headquarters, Nigeria
- Punch
- Premium Times
- Voice of Nigeria
- Vanguard
