Nigerian Armed Forces Neutralise 554 Terrorists in Q3

In the third quarter of 2026, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333 suspects, and rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians during military operations across the country. This information was disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.Gen. Michael Onoja, at the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly and Third Quarter Media Briefing in Abuja.

The operations reflected a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies against various criminal activities, including terrorism and kidnapping. In September alone, troops neutralised 52 terrorists, arrested 350 suspects, and rescued 655 kidnapped civilians.

Notably, Operation Hadin Kai in the North East accounted for the neutralisation of 273 terrorists and the rescue of 297 kidnapped victims. Additionally, the operations resulted in the recovery of 244 arms, 8,160 rounds of ammunition, and the dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites, showcasing a significant degradation of criminal operational capacity nationwide.