The military recorded 98 attacks, down from 367 in September, while claiming to have neutralised over 217 terrorists and rescued 349 kidnap victims.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says attacks across Nigeria’s military operational theatres fell by 73.3 per cent in October, dropping from 367 incidents in September to 98.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures on Friday, October 30, during a briefing on military operations in Abuja.
He said the reduction represented 269 fewer attacks within a month, attributing the decline to sustained operations by troops across the country.
“During the period under review, the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded a total of 98 attacks across various theatres of operation,” Onoja said.
A breakdown of the October figures showed that Operation Enduring Peace recorded the highest number of attacks, with 29 incidents, followed by Operation Hadin Kai with 27 and Operation Fansan Yamma with 24.
Operation Whirl Stroke recorded 12 attacks, while Operation Udo Ka recorded four. Operations Delta Safe and Savannah Shield recorded one attack each.
Despite the reported decline, the figures show that attacks continued across several military theatres during the month.
DHQ reports 217 terrorists killed, 349 kidnap victims rescued
Onoja said troops neutralised more than 217 terrorists and criminals, arrested 333 suspects and rescued 349 kidnapped victims during the period under review.
He added that 70 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 105 firearms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
The military also reported progress in its operations against crude oil theft, with troops recovering 756,837 litres of stolen petroleum products and destroying 49 illegal refining sites.
“Similarly, the overall successes recorded in the fight against crude oil theft have continued to frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs, yielding the recovery of 756,837 litres of stolen crude oil products and the destruction of 49 illegal refining sites,” Onoja said.
The figures cover military operations conducted between September 30 and October 30, according to the DHQ briefing.
Military acknowledges deadly Taraba attack
The defence spokesman also addressed the October 23 attack on civilians in Binari community, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, in which several residents were killed.
He expressed condolences to the Taraba State Government, residents and families of those who died.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, had assured Nigerians that the military would intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
The attack highlighted the continuing security challenges facing communities even as the military reported a sharp reduction in the overall number of incidents across its operational theatres.
While the DHQ attributed the decline to sustained military operations, the figures do not by themselves establish whether the reduction has translated into improved security for all affected communities.
The military said it would continue operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities across the country.
