The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported a 73.3 per cent decline in attacks across Nigeria’s military operational theatres in October, with incidents dropping from 367 in September to 98.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while presenting an update on military operations across the country.
Onoja attributed the reduction to sustained military operations across the various theatres, noting that troops recorded 269 fewer attacks during the month under review.
A breakdown of the October figures showed that Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number of attacks, with 29 incidents, followed by Operation Hadin Kai with 27 and Operation Fansan Yamma with 24.
Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 12 attacks, while Operation Udo Ka recorded four. Operations Delta Safe and Savannah Shield recorded one attack each.
“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.”
Despite the decline in attacks, the military reported significant operational gains, including the neutralisation of more than 217 terrorists and criminals, the arrest of 333 suspects and the rescue of 349 kidnapped victims.
Onoja added that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition were recovered during the operations.
“Throughout the month, over 217 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, with 333 terrorists and criminals arrested and 349 kidnap victims rescued,” he said.
“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.”
The DHQ also disclosed that troops sustained operations against insurgent networks and other criminal groups across the country, working alongside the Nigerian Air Force, other security agencies and local security groups.
Among the operations highlighted was the killing of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, Abdussamad Ohida, in Owo Forest, Ondo State, on October 2.
The military also reported operations against kidnapping syndicates in Kano, Benue and Taraba states, as part of efforts to dismantle criminal networks and rescue abducted persons.
The October figures represent a sharp decline from September, when Operation Enduring Peace recorded 147 attacks, Operation Fansan Yamma 115, Operation Whirl Stroke 55 and Operation Hadin Kai 33.
Operation Savannah Shield recorded 13 attacks, while Operation Udo Ka recorded four. Operation Delta Safe recorded none.
However, the military acknowledged that deadly attacks persisted in some parts of the country despite the reported improvement in its operational performance.
Onoja expressed condolences to the government and people of Taraba State over the killing of civilians in an attack on Binari community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area on October 23.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, had assured Nigerians that the military would intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
Oluyede also called for stronger intelligence sharing and cooperation among security agencies to improve the country’s security situation.
He urged community leaders and residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to nearby security formations or through the military’s toll-free emergency line, 193.
The Chief of Defence Staff further charged military personnel to maintain discipline, observe the rules of engagement and respect human rights in the discharge of their duties.
He warned troops against complacency, particularly with the festive season approaching, and urged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations.
The military’s reported figures cover operations between September 30 and October 30, 2026.
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