Mark Aba, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) neutralised 217 terrorists, including the Deputy Commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida, and arrested 333 other terrorists and criminal suspects in various operations across the country in October 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the military’s operational activities during the month.
Onoja said Ohida was killed during a military operation in Owo Forest, Ondo State, as part of intensified efforts to prevent planned large-scale terrorist attacks across the country during the forthcoming festive season.
According to him, the killing of the ISWAP commander represents a significant setback to the group’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria, particularly its alleged plans to launch attacks during the approaching festive period.
He said the Armed Forces’ operations in October demonstrated sustained pressure on terrorists and other criminal elements across multiple theatres of operation, resulting in the rescue of 349 kidnapped victims.
“Additionally, 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 arms and 3,174 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 the destruction of 49 illegal refining sites,” he said.
On operations in the North-East, Onoja said sustained military offensives had triggered several insurgent surrenders, disrupted terrorists’ supply routes and enabled decisive counter-attacks, gradually weakening their operational capacity.
In the North-West and North-Central regions, he said military operations involving the rescue of kidnapped civilians, raids on terrorist hideouts and the arrest of suspected kingpins, gunrunners and collaborators had helped restrict the activities of terrorists and other criminal networks.
He added that troops operating in the South-South and South-East had intensified efforts against crude oil theft, kidnapping and secessionist-related criminal networks.
According to him, the Air Component provided timely and precision support to ground operations, while the Nigerian Navy sustained efforts to disrupt illegal refining activities and support other security operations.
Despite the operational gains, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that a total of 98 attacks were recorded across the various theatres of operation in October.
Giving a breakdown, Onoja said Operation HADIN KAI recorded 27 attacks, Operation FANSAN YAMMA 24, Operation ENDURING PEACE 29, Operation WHIRL STROKE 12, while Operation UDO KA (OPUK) recorded four.
Operation DELTA SAFE and Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded one attack each.
He said troops responded decisively to the incidents, engaging the attackers with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres to repel the assaults.
The military spokesman, however, acknowledged that October was not without casualties, particularly following terrorist attacks in Taraba State.
He conveyed the condolences of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, to the government and people of Taraba State, especially families of civilians killed during the October 23, 2026 attacks in Binari, Karim Lamido Local Government Area.
Oluyede, on behalf of the Armed Forces, prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and assured Nigerians that the military would intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
The CDS said the loss of innocent lives would further strengthen the military’s determination to protect lives and property across the country.
He also commended troops for their resilience and commitment across all operational theatres, urging them to maintain discipline, uphold the rules of engagement and respect human rights.
Oluyede cautioned personnel against complacency, particularly as the festive season approaches, and called on other security agencies to strengthen collaboration through improved intelligence sharing and joint operational planning.
He further appreciated the media for its role in informing the public, urging journalists to ensure accuracy and proper verification, especially when reporting sensitive communal issues that could inflame tensions or compromise ongoing military operations.
The CDS also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to promptly report security threats, reject mob action and deny criminals safe havens within their communities.
He warned that individuals involved in supporting terrorist activities, including informants, logistics suppliers, recruiters and gunrunners, would be held accountable once apprehended.
The Defence Headquarters urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free emergency line 193.
It assured Nigerians that all information received through the channels would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
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