The Nigerian military has reported a sharp decline in attacks across its operational theatres. Attacks fell by 73.3 per cent in October 2026. The total was 98 incidents, down from 367 in September. That is a reduction of 269 attacks. Defence Headquarters released the figures. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, provided the breakdown.
Nigeria’s military is fighting multiple conflicts. Boko Haram and ISWAP operate in the northeast. Bandits dominate the northwest. Separatists agitate in the southeast. Oil thieves operate in the Niger Delta. The military has deployed troops across all regions. Operations include Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Udo Ka, Delta Safe and Savannah Shield. Each theatre has a distinct mandate. The October figures suggest a rare month of improvement.
Operation Enduring Peace recorded the most attacks, with 29 incidents. Hadin Kai followed with 27. Fansan Yamma recorded 24. Whirl Stroke recorded 12. Udo Ka recorded four. Delta Safe and Savannah Shield each recorded one. The previous month was worse. In September, Enduring Peace recorded 147 attacks. Fansan Yamma recorded 115. Whirl Stroke recorded 55. Hadin Kai recorded 33.
Troops killed more than 217 terrorists and criminals. They arrested 333 suspects. They rescued 349 kidnap victims. Seventy insurgents surrendered. The military recovered 105 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition. It also recovered 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products. It destroyed 49 illegal refining sites.
General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff, urged troops to remain disciplined and respect human rights. He warned against complacency ahead of the festive season. He called for stronger intelligence sharing and joint planning.
Winners: The military, which shows results. The 349 rescued victims. Communities that gained relief. The government, which gains a narrative of progress. Losers: The 217 neutralised terrorists and criminals. The 333 arrested suspects. Armed groups, which lost operatives and equipment. Oil thieves, who lost infrastructure. The military, if the trend reverses.
Bottom Line: Attacks fell by 73 per cent. The figures are significant. The military is pressing. The conflicts are not over. Armed groups will regroup. The decline must be sustained. One month is not a trend.