Nigeria: Military Reports 217 Terrorists Killed, 349 Kidnap Victims Rescued in October
From rescued kidnapping victims to recovered weapons, Nigeria's military reports its latest operational figures as security challenges persist across the country.
Abuja — The Armed Forces of Nigeria says troops killed more than 217 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnapped victims during military operations across the country in October 2026.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on October 30 during the monthly military operations briefing in Abuja.
He said the operations, conducted between September 30 and October 30, involved troops working alongside the Nigerian Air Force, other security agencies and local security groups.
According to General Onoja, the military also recorded the surrender of 70 insurgents and recovered 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition during the period.
He further disclosed that troops neutralised a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2.
The military spokesman said the commander was involved in planning large-scale attacks across several states ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
In the fight against crude oil theft, the Armed Forces also dismantled 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Despite these reported operational gains, the military recorded 98 attacks across its various operational theatres during the period.
The Defence Headquarters says it will sustain military operations against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other security threats across the country.
