By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters says the Armed Forces of Nigeria has sustained an unrelenting multi-layered campaign of coordinated land, air and maritime operations across all geo-political zones.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said this on Thursday in Abuja, at the Joint Security Press Briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Uba said under the strategic leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, troops executed 588 distinct security operations in September and October.

He said troops neutralised 435 terrorists and bandits, including high-profile commanders like Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.

He also said that troops arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and successfully liberated 717 kidnapped victims and captives.

Uba listed the rescued victims to include 20 prospective NYSC members in Owerri, Imo, and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi.

According to him, troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest, which severely fractured enemy networks.

He added that to dismantle their war-making capacity, troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices, alongside vital logistical assets.

He said that in the Niger Delta, economic protection operations destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1,061,000 litres of stolen petroleum products thereby directly boosting national crude production.

The defence spokesman said while security hotspots persist in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna States, forces continue to adapt through aggressive synergy clearance patrols and deep inter-agency.

He also said that beyond tactical theatres, the DHQ championed indigenous defence manufacturing and technology transfer at Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026.

He further said that the DHQ also convened high-level regional forums to reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force in Lake Chad basin and prioritised personnel welfare through veteran engagement tours and launch of Defence Discount Shop in partnership with Konga and Zinox. (NAN)