RismadarVoice Reporters
September 30, 2026
The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian troops rescued 655 kidnapped civilians and arrested 350 suspected terrorists and other criminals during military operations across the country in September.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures on Wednesday while briefing journalists on military operations conducted during the month.
Onoja said troops also neutralised 52 suspected terrorists and criminals and recovered 52 weapons alongside 2,335 rounds of ammunition.
According to him, 75 insurgents surrendered to troops during the period under review.
Military operations in the North-West resulted in the rescue of 171 kidnapped victims as troops continued operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Under Operation Whirl Stroke, troops operating across Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states rescued 320 kidnapped victims.
Operations in other parts of the country accounted for the remaining rescued civilians.
In the Niger Delta, troops intensified operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
Onoja said eight illegal refining sites were dismantled during the month, while more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered.
The recovered products included crude oil and other refined petroleum products allegedly linked to illegal activities.
The Defence Headquarters said the operations formed part of continuing efforts by the Armed Forces to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other security threats across the country.
It said troops would sustain operations aimed at protecting civilians, disrupting criminal networks and improving security nationwide.
