Military Reports 73% Drop In Attacks: Are Nigerians Actually Safer?

For many Nigerians, travelling from one state to another is no longer an ordinary journey. It comes with anxiety, repeated phone calls to loved ones and the fear of encountering armed criminals along the highway.

In rural communities, the situation is even more troubling, as some residents have been forced to abandon their homes and farmlands following repeated attacks, killings and kidnappings.

Against this backdrop, the Defence Headquarters’ latest security report announcing a significant decline in attacks across the country’s military operational theatres has generated questions about whether the reported improvement is translating into a safer environment for ordinary citizens.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed on Friday in Abuja that attacks across the military’s operational theatres declined by 73.3 per cent in October 2026.

According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded 98 attacks during the month, compared with 367 incidents in September, representing 269 fewer attacks within one month.

Onoja attributed the reduction to sustained military operations across the various theatres, disclosing that troops neutralised more than 217 terrorists and criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnapped victims during the period.

He added that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while security forces recovered 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition.

However, the reported progress comes against the backdrop of continued security concerns in parts of the country, particularly following the October 23 attack on the Binari community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, where gunmen reportedly killed at least 62 people.

The incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities and the ability of security agencies to prevent attacks despite ongoing military operations.

For many Nigerians, therefore, the question goes beyond the number of attacks recorded by security agencies. It is whether people can travel freely, sleep peacefully in their homes, conduct businesses and go about their daily activities without fear of being attacked or kidnapped.

In a survey by LEADERSHIP, Nigerians from different professional and social backgrounds expressed mixed reactions to the military’s latest report, with some acknowledging the progress. In contrast, others questioned whether the improvement was being felt beyond official statistics.

Dennis Koki, a civil servant, described the development as encouraging, saying the military deserved recognition for its efforts in tackling insecurity across the country.

“I think it is a good development. We should give credit where it is due because fighting insecurity in a country as large as Nigeria is not an easy task. But I think the government should see this as a reason to do more, not an opportunity to relax.

“The fact that attacks have reduced does not mean that the country is completely safe. People are still worried about travelling, especially when they have to use certain highways. I believe the military is making some progress, but we need to see consistency.

“Also, I am concerned about the sustainability of these achievements. We have had situations where security agencies announce successes, but shortly afterwards, we hear about fresh attacks in different communities.

“I have heard of situations of sabotage. There should be better intelligence gathering, improved equipment for troops and stronger collaboration with local communities.

“The government must also address the issues that allow insecurity to thrive, including unemployment, poverty and the proliferation of illegal weapons. What Nigerians want is not just a temporary solution.”

Nigerians question military security figures

While some citizens acknowledged the reported improvement, others questioned whether the figures reflected the actual security situation in communities across the country.

Ugochukwu Onyekachi, a pharmacy owner, said the military’s announcement had not necessarily changed how ordinary Nigerians perceived their safety.

“To be honest, I don’t believe this so-called report. I don’t think their report is realistic and I don’t think the average Nigerian feels safer simply because the military has announced a reduction in attacks.

“The question is, where are these attacks reducing? Are people in the villages experiencing this improvement? Can someone travel from Abuja to Kaduna or other parts of the country without constantly worrying about being kidnapped?

“These are the things that matter to ordinary Nigerians. When people are still afraid to travel, and farmers are abandoning their farms, and families are worried about the safety of their loved ones, it becomes difficult to say that things have improved significantly.

“I am not saying the military has not done anything, but the government needs to understand that security is measured by the confidence people have in their environment, not just numbers and statistics.”

Fear of kidnapping affects everyday decisions

For younger Nigerians, insecurity has also become a factor in decisions about movement, social activities and personal independence.

Abigail Musa, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), said the security situation often forces young people to reconsider ordinary activities, including travelling and visiting friends.

“Insecurity is something that affects our daily decisions. Sometimes, you want to attend an event, visit a friend or travel to another state, but you have to think twice because of the security situation.

“Even our parents are constantly worried whenever we are travelling. So, when I hear that attacks have reduced, I want to believe that things are getting better, but I also want to see the evidence in our everyday lives.

“I remember coming from Lagos to attend the camp, and I was really scared during the journey. Even whenever I’m entering public transport to go to the town, I’m always scared and anxious, so I don’t enter one- chance. Can we move around freely? Can people sleep peacefully in their homes? These are the questions the government should be answering.”

Rural communities bear the burden of insecurity

While security discussions often focus on major cities and highways, residents from vulnerable rural communities say the impact of insecurity is particularly severe in areas where military and other security presence may be limited.

Abdullahi Abubakar, a trader who said he had to flee from his village in Sokoto State following repeated bandit attacks, described the personal cost of insecurity, including the loss of relatives and the uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of some family members.

“I left my village in Sokoto because of bandits attacking and killing people. I’ve lost some of my relatives, and right now, I don’t even know the whereabouts of some of my brothers.

“I think the government should pay more attention to what is happening in rural communities because that is where many people are still exposed to attacks.

“There are farmers who cannot go to their farms because of fear, and there are communities where people have had to abandon their homes because they no longer feel protected.

“When we talk about insecurity, we should not focus only on what happens in Abuja, Lagos or other major cities. The people in villages also matter.

“If the military says attacks have reduced, that is fine, but the government must ensure that security reaches those remote communities.

“It is not enough to announce that criminals have been neutralised or that attacks have reduced. Nigerians want to know that their villages, farms, markets and homes are safe. Until that happens, I believe there is still a lot of work to be done.”

Beyond the military’s security statistics

The Defence Headquarters’ October operational report indicates the activities and achievements of the Armed Forces in their efforts to tackle insecurity.

The reported 73.3 per cent decline in attacks, alongside the rescue of 349 kidnapped victims and the neutralisation of more than 217 terrorists and criminals, represents a significant operational development if sustained.

However, the figures alone do not establish that the security situation has improved uniformly across the country or that the threats confronting vulnerable communities have been eliminated.

The continued occurrence of attacks, kidnappings and killings underscores the need for security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response mechanisms and ensure adequate protection for communities, particularly in rural areas.

There is also a need to address the underlying factors contributing to insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, the proliferation of illegal firearms and the activities of criminal networks.

For many Nigerians, the real test of improved security is simple: whether they can go about their everyday lives without fear.