Nigerian Military Reports Rescue of 349 Kidnap Victims, Arrest of 333 Suspects

• The Nigerian military says troops rescued 349 kidnapped people and arrested 333 suspects during nationwide operations covered in its October security briefing.

The Nigerian military says its troops rescued 349 kidnapped people and arrested 333 suspects during operations across the country between September 30 and October 30, 2026.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, announced the figures at the military’s monthly briefing in Abuja on Friday, October 30.

Onoja also reported that troops killed 217 people described by the military as terrorists and criminals, while 70 insurgents surrendered during the reporting period.

The figures represent Defence Headquarters’ account of its operations and have not been independently verified for this report.

North-West records 167 rescues

According to the briefing, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 167 abductees in the North-West.

The military said the operation also resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects and the killing of 18 alleged terrorists.

In the North-Central region, Operation Savannah Shield reported rescuing 29 kidnapped people, while Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 68 rescues.

Operation Enduring Peace separately reported the rescue of 13 abductees and the arrest of 84 suspects during operations in Kaduna and Plateau states.

Onoja said the operations involved cooperation between troops, other security agencies and local security groups.

Abducted prospective corps members rescued in Imo

The briefing also covered the rescue of prospective National Youth Service Corps members and other passengers abducted following an attack on commercial buses along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway.

The military said the victims were rescued on October 7 after sustained pressure from troops and other security agencies.

Five suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate were subsequently arrested, according to the operational update.

In the North-East, Operation Hadin Kai reported rescuing 39 kidnapped people and arresting 98 suspects during the month.

Weapons recovered, illegal refining sites dismantled

Onoja said troops recovered 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition across the operational areas.

The military also reported dismantling 49 illegal refining sites and recovering 756,837 litres of petroleum products during operations against oil theft.

In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe recorded 45 arrests, while Operation Udo Ka reported rescuing 33 civilians in the South-East.

The recoveries and arrests formed part of operations targeting kidnapping, armed attacks, weapons trafficking and illegal petroleum activities.

Military acknowledges continuing attacks

Despite the reported operational gains, Defence Headquarters said 98 attacks occurred across its operational theatres during the reporting period.

Onoja also expressed condolences over the October 23 attack on Binnari community in Taraba State, which resulted in civilian deaths and displacement.

He said the military would intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies.

The briefing presents a nationwide monthly update. The rescue and arrest figures should therefore not be interpreted as the outcome of a single operation conducted on Friday.