How Military Pressure Forced 406 Terrorists To Surrender In 3 Months

*For three months, sustained military bombardments, ground offensives, and blockades of supply routes left terrorist fighters across the North-East and North-West with no escape. Cut off from food, fuel and ammunition and constantly hunted by troops, 406 fighters, along with their families, laid down their arms and surrendered. During the same period, operations rescued 1,736 victims from captivity. **TARKAA DAVID *reports

Sustained military pressure across the country has forced 406 terrorist fighters and their families to surrender to government forces and led to the rescue of 1,736 kidnapped hostages in the third quarter of 2026.

The repentant terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to troops while fleeing hardship within terrorist enclaves as continuous offensive disrupted extensive arms and logistics trafficking networks, and denied economic saboteurs continued access to the nation’s petroleum resources.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) recently revealed that troops killed 554 terrorists/criminals, arrested 1,333 and rescued 1,736 hostages during three months of operations in the third quarter of 2026.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, briefing journalists, said the period recorded 367 attacks across various theatres of operation.

In September alone, he said troops neutralised 52 terrorists/criminals; arrested 350 terrorists/criminals; rescued 655 kidnapped civilians; and 75 insurgents surrendered.

Troops recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition; dismantled eight illegal refining sites; and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products.

According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria demonstrated sustained capacity to confront the full spectrum of security challenges facing the nation, from terrorism and banditry in the northern theatres to kidnapping, oil theft and secessionist agitation in the southern theatres.

“The scale of successes recorded for the Third Quarter 2026, ranging from the naturalisation of 554 terrorists and criminals; the arrest of 1,333 terrorists/criminals; the rescue of 1,736 kidnapped civilians; the surrender of 333 insurgents; the capture of 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition; the dismantling of 104 illegal refining sites; and the recovery of 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products, represents a significant degradation of criminal and terrorist operational capacity nationwide,” he said.

Onoja, providing a breakdown of the 367 attacks recorded across various theatres of operation, said Operation HADIN KAI recorded 33 attacks, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded 115, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded 13, Operation ENDURING PEACE recorded 147, Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded 55, and Operation UDO KA (OPUK) recorded four, while Operation DELTA SAFE recorded no attacks.

He said, “troops responded decisively to these incidents, swiftly engaging the assailants with superior firepower and tactical manoeuvring, and successfully countering the attacks. Through their resolve and professionalism, troops neutralised several of the attackers, forced others to flee, and denied them the opportunity to achieve their objectives.”

He reiterated that all Kinetic operations during the period enhanced security across all theatres of operations and the nation by disrupting terrorist and kidnapping activities, rescuing abducted civilians, and protecting communities and key supply routes from attack.

“Troops also cleared improvised explosive devices, dismantled suspected terrorist camps, recovered arms and ammunition, and prevented planned attacks, thereby improving freedom of movement, strengthening confidence among residents and commuters in affected communities, and protecting critical national infrastructure,” he added.

Explaining the data, he said the 3rd quarter 2026 data shows significant month-to-month fluctuations in operational outcomes.

According to him, from July to August, bandit/criminal killings increased by 171.9 per cent, while arrests declined slightly by 4.2 per cent, civilians rescued increased by 51.4 per cent, terrorists who surrendered increased by 252.6 per cent, arms recovered increased by 28.6 per cent, ammunition recovered increased by 12.5 per cent, and crude oil recovered increased by 11.0 per cent.

He said these changes reflect the intensity and nature of operational engagements during August.

He continued, “From August to September, most indicators declined from their August peaks, including 85.8 per cent for bandits/criminals killed, 28.3 per cent for arrests, 10.8 per cent for civilians rescued, 62.7 per cent for surrenders, 51.9 per cent for arms recovered, 24.3 per cent for ammunition recovered, and 55.6 per cent for crude oil recovered.”

“However, the September figures still demonstrate sustained operational activity, with 581 civilians rescued, 345 arrests, 75 surrenders, 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition recovered, alongside continued efforts to protect national economic resources.”

“The variations, therefore, reflect the changing operational environment, while troops maintained their commitment to national security throughout the period.”

Providing a breakdown of military achievements for September 2026, he said troops in the North East geopolitical zone sustained counter-terrorism operations throughout the month across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, countering terrorist attacks, disrupting logistics networks and denying terrorists freedom of action.

The troops neutralised 27 terrorist fighters, arrested 49 terrorists, rescued 103 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 73 insurgents and their families.

The Director said that troops in one of the most significant rescue operations intercepted and rescued 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama LGA of Borno State on 24 September 2026, who had fled their enclaves amid clashes between rival terrorist factions.

According to him, over 70 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to troops at various locations, including Monguno, Pulka and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road in Gwoza LGA, as well as Dikwa, Bama and Ngala LGAs, all in Borno State.

“The surrendering persons consistently cited harsh living conditions, hunger and a lack of basic provisions in terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains and the Lake Chad region as reasons for their surrender,” he said.

Troops’ relentless operations led to the arrest of numerous suspected terrorist collaborators, informants, spies and logistics suppliers across the theatre throughout the month.

“Troops disrupted terrorist logistics networks by arresting key suppliers in Konduga LGA on 31 August 2026; Benisheikh in Kaga LGA on 5 September 2026; Mafa in Dikwa LGA on 6 September 2026; Gumsa Bridge in Geidam LGA, Yobe State, on 8 September 2026; and Geidam Market in Yobe State on 25 September 2026. The seized items included foodstuffs, medical and veterinary supplies, pharmaceuticals, a vehicle, motorcycle spare parts, and cash intended for terrorists.”

He further revealed that troops arrested suspected informants and spies at various locations, including the towns of Damasak, Biu, Monguno, and Kukawa. Troops also arrested a logistics supplier transporting Starlink internet devices destined for Chad along the Dikwa-Gamboru Road.

“During the quarter, troops neutralised 273 terrorist fighters, arrested 348 terrorists, rescued 297 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 331 insurgents and their families.”

In the North West, troops neutralised seven terrorist fighters, arrested 26 terrorists and rescued 171 kidnapped victims.

Troops also arrested suspects transporting rustled cattle near Illela in Sokoto State and seized N2,700,000 in cash intended for a terrorist kingpin in Faskari LGA, Katsina State.

In other related operations, troops disrupted extensive arms-trafficking and terrorist-logistics networks throughout the theatre.

“Cumulatively over the quarter, troops neutralised 230 terrorist fighters, arrested 147 terrorists and rescued 508 kidnapped victims.”

In the North Central, troops across the three theatres sustained offensive operations against terrorism and kidnapping throughout September 2026 in Kwara and Niger States.

Troops conducted multiple successful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) clearance operations across Borgu and Kaiama LGAs in Niger and Kwara States throughout the month, safely defusing 12 devices in total. These included one recovered at Dekara Village on 9 September 2026 and nine found along a main supply route between Machan-Gyada and Masaka Villages on 21 September 2026. All affected roads were subsequently declared safe for vehicular movement.

During the month, troops neutralised 5 terrorists, arrested 2 terrorists and rescued 27 kidnapped victims. The most significant success of the month came on 15 September 2026, when troops attacked terrorists at Muchiya village in Rafi LGA of Niger State and rescued 22 kidnapped victims, who were reunited with their families.

In another significant development, troops intercepted an escaped victim, Hadiza Sani, at Garauji Village under Babana in Borgu LGA of Niger State on 25 September 2026, three days after she escaped from a terrorist enclave.

Authorities said a preliminary debriefing revealed that she was among approximately 500 residents abducted by terrorists after Friday prayers at Dekara on 21 August 2026, and that the victims were being held under heavy guard.

“Overall, during the quarter, troops neutralised 41 terrorist fighters, arrested 582 terrorists, and rescued 836 kidnapped victims”.

In the South East region, troops conducted operations against secessionist elements and illegal oil bunkering throughout September 2026 across Anambra, Enugu and Imo States.

“Cumulatively, during the quarter, troops neutralised 10 terrorist fighters, arrested 75 terrorists, rescued 20 kidnapped victims, and facilitated the surrender of 2 secessionists”.

In the fight against economic saboteurs, troops arrested 181 criminals, destroyed 104 illegal refining sites, and recovered more than 1,610,402 litres of petroleum products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene, and Premium Motor Spirit, over the quarter.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice of troops across all theatres of operation for the achievements recorded during the quarter.

The Defence Chief also extended heartfelt condolences to personnel, civilians and families who suffered injury, loss or hardship during the period.

General Oluyede also commended the sustained collaboration between the AFN and other security agencies, including local security groups, noting that their combined efforts continue to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.

The CDS further commends the media for their continued professionalism and balanced coverage of military operations throughout the quarter.

He also appealed to members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to sustain their support for troops by providing timely and credible information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193.

All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Accordingly, citizens are encouraged to uphold the principle of “See Something, Say Something”, as national security remains a shared civic responsibility.