Troops kill over 217 terrorists, arrest 333, rescue 349 kidnapped victims –DHQ

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has said that troops fighting counter insurgency war and other security operations across the country, killed over 217 terrorists and other armed criminals in October.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who made this known, said that the operations, conducted between September 30 and October 30, also led to the arrest of 333 terrorists/criminals; and the rescue of 349 kidnap victims.

Onoja, at a media briefing on update of military operations conducted in October, said a total of 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition recovered, while troops destroyed 49 illegal refining sites and recovered 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products.

Within the period under review, Gen. Onoja, said that the armed forces recorded a total of 98 attacks across various theatres of operation with Operation Enduring Peace recording the highest attack with 29.

“Operation Hadin Kai recorded 27 attacks, Operation Fansan Yamma recorded 24, Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 12, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK) recorded four, while Operation Delta Safe and Operation Savannah Shield recorded one attack each”.

He however noted that troops responded decisively to these incidents, swiftly engaging the assailants with superior firepower and tactical maneuver, and successfully repelled the attacks.

Giving a breakdown of the operations, Gen. Onoja, said: “In the North West geopolitical zone, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma sustained offensive operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping throughout the month across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, thereby denying terrorists freedom of action. During the month, troops neutralized 18 terrorists, rescued 167 kidnap victims, and arrested 10 terrorists, while one terrorist surrendered.

“On 7 October 2026, troops countered an attempted attack in Maiyama LGA of Kebbi State, by a large group of Lakurawa terrorists on more than 100 motorcycles armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Troops neutralised 10 terrorists, while the rest fled. In the process, troops captured a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication device.”