By Simpson Global Media News Desk
Event: Joint Security Agencies' Press Briefing on National Security Operations for September and October 2026.
Theme: Counterterrorism operations, kidnapping prevention, intelligence gathering and national security coordination.
Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026.
Time: Exact commencement time was not independently confirmed.
Venue: National Counter Terrorism Centre, within the Office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Organiser: Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in collaboration with relevant security agencies.
Key Speaker: Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters.
Reporting Period: September–October 2026.
Report Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026. This is the publication date, not the briefing date.
Defence Headquarters Rejects Claims of Secret Ceasefire
Nigeria's Defence Headquarters has categorically denied allegations that the Federal Government or the military entered into a ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram insurgents, insisting that counterterrorism operations against armed groups will continue across the country.
The clarification was given on Thursday, 5 November 2026, by Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, during a joint security agencies' briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.
Uba said there was no ceasefire with Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) or other armed criminal organisations.
He maintained that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue operations against groups threatening citizens and national security.
His statement followed several weeks of public discussion surrounding an investigative report alleging that the Federal Government had reached a secret ceasefire arrangement with a faction of Boko Haram in June 2026.
The military's clarification also came against the background of renewed attacks on military positions in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have continued to pose security challenges despite years of counterinsurgency operations.
According to Reuters, attacks on military positions in the North-East have increased in recent weeks.
At the same briefing, the military presented its operational figures for September and October, reporting 588 operations, 435 terrorists and bandits neutralised, 809 suspects arrested, 198 insurgents surrendered and 717 kidnapped people rescued.
The military also reported recovering 5,666 weapons, ammunition and explosive-related items during the two-month period.
These figures represent the Defence Headquarters' account of its operations. They have not been independently audited in the reporting reviewed for this article.
The announcement provides a clearer official statement on the military's position following the earlier ceasefire allegations, while leaving questions about the reported negotiations to be examined against the available evidence.
Sources: Reuters, 5 November 2026 | Voice of Nigeria, 5 November 2026 | The Guardian, 6 November 2026.
How the Secret Ceasefire Allegation Emerged
The controversy began after The New Humanitarian published an investigative report on 7 September 2026 alleging that the Nigerian Government had reached a secret ceasefire arrangement with a Boko Haram faction led by Bakura Doro.
The report said the alleged arrangement followed negotiations connected to the release of civilians abducted in March 2026 from Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
It reported that approximately 360 civilians were involved in the abduction crisis and that negotiations had resulted in an agreement which reportedly reduced attacks in some communities around Ngoshe.
The publication said its findings were based on three sources with contacts among Boko Haram members.
It also reported that the alleged arrangement included a payment of ₦5 billion as ransom.
That financial allegation was denied by the Federal Government and Borno State authorities.
The investigative report further suggested that the arrangement had been operating since June and could be extended.
The report did not establish that the alleged arrangement represented a formal agreement accepted by every Boko Haram faction or the wider insurgent organisation.
It specifically distinguished the faction associated with Bakura Doro from ISWAP, which operates as a separate armed organisation and has continued attacking military and civilian targets.
When The New Humanitarian first published its investigation, government and military spokespeople did not provide a substantive confirmation of the alleged truce before publication.
The Defence Headquarters subsequently issued its categorical denial during the November 5 security briefing.
The distinction between the original report and the military's latest statement is important.
The alleged agreement was reported by an investigative publication relying on sources with claimed contacts within the insurgent group. The Defence Headquarters has now publicly denied that any ceasefire existed.
The allegations should therefore not be presented as an established government agreement or an officially acknowledged military arrangement.
Sources: The New Humanitarian, 7 September 2026 | Premium Times, 5 November 2026 | The Guardian, 6 November 2026.
Government Had Previously Denied the ₦5 Billion Ransom Allegation
The reported ₦5 billion payment became an important part of the controversy because it raised questions about how the civilians abducted from Ngoshe were released.
In June 2026, the Borno State Government rejected claims that ransom had been paid to secure the release of approximately 360 abducted people.
The state's Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, told Channels Television that the release resulted from an intelligence-led military operation involving the Nigerian security services.
The military's account at the time described the operation as a planned security intervention involving intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and operational deployment.
The government's position was that the release was achieved through security operations rather than a ransom arrangement.
The New Humanitarian's September investigation subsequently reported a different account, alleging that negotiations and a ransom payment formed part of the process.
These conflicting accounts became the basis of renewed public scrutiny.
The November 5 military statement has now clarified the Defence Headquarters' position on the wider ceasefire allegation, but it does not independently resolve every factual question surrounding the negotiations and the circumstances of the Ngoshe release.
The difference between the two claims matters.
A ransom payment, negotiations over the release of abducted people and a ceasefire are related but separate issues.
It is possible for parties to negotiate the release of captives without establishing a recognised ceasefire covering wider military operations.
Likewise, a temporary reduction in attacks in a particular location does not, by itself, establish that a formal agreement exists between the government and an armed group.
The public therefore needs to distinguish what the authorities have officially confirmed from what investigative reporting has alleged.
Sources: Channels Television, 8 June 2026 | The New Humanitarian | Premium Times.
Military Reports 588 Operations Across Nigeria
Beyond the ceasefire controversy, the Defence Headquarters presented an operational summary covering military activities during September and October 2026.
Major General Uba said the Armed Forces conducted 588 distinct security operations across Nigeria's geopolitical zones during the two-month reporting period.
According to the briefing, the operations resulted in:
| Military operational indicator | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Security operations conducted | 588 |
| Terrorists and bandits neutralised | 435 |
| Criminal suspects arrested | 809 |
| Insurgents who surrendered | 198 |
| Kidnapped people rescued | 717 |
| Arms, ammunition and explosive-related items recovered | 5,666 |
The figures were presented by the military as evidence of its continuing operations against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and related criminal activities.
The operations reportedly involved different components of the Armed Forces, including coordinated land, air and maritime activity.
The military said operations were conducted in several states, including Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna.
The geographical spread reflects the wide range of security responsibilities being handled by the country's security agencies.
However, the number of operations conducted should not be treated as a direct measurement of how safe individual communities have become.
A large number of operations does not automatically establish that insecurity has been eliminated from the locations concerned.
Similarly, the number of suspects arrested does not establish that all those arrested have been convicted of crimes.
The figures are operational reports supplied by the military and should be considered alongside information about attacks, civilian casualties, displacement, kidnapping, prosecution and the security situation in affected communities.
Sources: Voice of Nigeria | The Guardian | NewsPeg, 5 November 2026.
717 Kidnapped People Reportedly Rescued
One of the major operational figures announced by the Defence Headquarters was the rescue of 717 people held by kidnappers during the September–October reporting period.
Kidnapping remains a major security concern in several parts of Nigeria, affecting rural communities, travellers, students, religious leaders and other civilians.
The military said its rescue operations involved intelligence-led activities and deployments targeting criminal groups operating in different locations.
Among the operations highlighted was the rescue of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Owerri, Imo State.
The military also reported rescuing 11 people in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
These operations were cited as examples of its efforts to recover abducted people and disrupt criminal networks.
However, the announcement did not provide a complete breakdown of all 717 rescued people, including their identities, original locations or the circumstances of every rescue operation.
It is therefore important not to imply that all 717 victims were involved in the same incident or rescued in one operation.
The figure represents the military's combined operational report for two months.
The Nigeria Police Force separately reported rescuing 255 kidnapped victims during the same period.
The police and military figures should be treated as separate agency reports. They should not automatically be added together to produce a national total because the available summaries do not establish whether there was any overlap in reported rescue cases.
For families affected by kidnapping, the most important outcome remains the safe return of victims and the investigation of those responsible.
Sources: Voice of Nigeria | Daily Nigerian, 5 November 2026 | The Guardian.
Troops Report Recovery of 5,666 Weapons and Explosive Items
The military also reported recovering 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices during the two-month operational period.
The recovered items were described as part of efforts to weaken the operational capacity of armed groups.
Weapons and ammunition seized during military operations can reduce the ability of criminal organisations to carry out further attacks, provided they are properly secured and documented.
Recovering improvised explosive devices is also important because such materials can be used in attacks against military convoys, civilian vehicles, public infrastructure and populated locations.
The Defence Headquarters said the recoveries took place across different operational theatres.
However, the published operational summary did not provide a detailed breakdown showing exactly how many of the recovered items were firearms, ammunition, explosives or completed explosive devices.
The figure should therefore be reported as the military's combined recovery total rather than interpreted as 5,666 firearms.
The recovery of weapons also needs to be supported by forensic investigation and intelligence analysis.
Identifying where weapons originated, how they were transported and which networks supplied them can help security agencies investigate the wider criminal systems behind armed violence.
The military has indicated that intelligence gathering and the monitoring of supply routes remain part of its continuing security strategy.
Sources: Voice of Nigeria, 5 November 2026 | The Guardian, 6 November 2026.
Military Says Insurgents Are Moving Beyond Traditional Strongholds
Another issue raised during the briefing concerned changes in the locations where armed groups operate.
Major General Uba said military intelligence was monitoring the movement of insurgents and mapping emerging corridors to prevent them from establishing new bases.
He referred to developments in areas including the Owo Forest and said the military was taking steps to prevent armed groups from exploiting gaps in security coverage.
The forest area lies in Ondo State, in Nigeria's South-West.
Its mention is significant because the country's security challenges are not restricted to the North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP have operated for years.
Different criminal and armed groups operate in different parts of the federation, including bandit networks, kidnappers, armed robbers and other organised criminal organisations.
However, the presence of an insurgent or criminal group in one geographical area does not automatically establish that the same organisation controls the territory.
The military's statement focused on monitoring suspected movement corridors and preventing armed elements from establishing permanent bases.
Uba also disclosed that the Armed Forces were making changes to their operational structure, including establishing new formations, specialised battalions and forward tactical units in vulnerable areas.
Such deployments are intended to improve operational coverage and reduce opportunities for armed groups to exploit locations where security forces have limited presence.
The effectiveness of these measures will depend on intelligence quality, logistics, personnel, coordination with other agencies and the ability to maintain a sustained presence after an operation.
Sources: Voice of Nigeria | Reuters, 5 November 2026.
Police Report 227 Kidnapping Cases in September and October
The Nigeria Police Force presented a separate operational report at the same joint security briefing.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, police recorded 227 kidnapping cases during September and October 2026.
The report also listed other incidents recorded during the two-month period.
| Incident category | Cases reported |
|---|---|
| Homicide | 418 |
| Kidnapping | 227 |
| Banditry | 168 |
| Armed robbery | 165 |
| Cult-related clashes | 73 |
| Terrorism-related incidents | 51 |
| Gender-based violence | 49 |
These figures represent incidents recorded by the police during the review period.
They should not be interpreted as court convictions or proof that every reported incident resulted in an identified suspect.
The police also reported making 1,519 arrests, neutralising 56 armed criminals and rescuing 255 kidnapped victims.
Other reported recoveries included 191 firearms, 3,873 rounds of ammunition and 117 vehicles.
The figures show that kidnapping, homicide, banditry and armed robbery remained among the serious criminal issues being handled by police formations during the two-month period.
The police did not provide a complete state-by-state breakdown of all recorded incidents in the summary reported by The Guardian.
Such a breakdown would be useful in assessing local patterns and identifying areas requiring additional policing resources.
For the public, the figures also reinforce the importance of reporting incidents to the police and cooperating with investigations rather than relying solely on social media reports.
Sources: The Guardian, 6 November 2026 | Daily Nigerian, 5 November 2026 | THISDAY, 6 November 2026.
Police Highlight Rescues and Arrests in Different States
The police also highlighted several operations conducted during the review period.
In Sokoto State, officers reportedly rescued 30 kidnapped people following a confrontation with armed bandits near Katuru Village junction.
The operation was described as involving a gun battle before the victims were recovered.
In Adamawa State, police reportedly repelled an attack by Boko Haram fighters in Garha District, during which four suspected terrorists were neutralised.
The force also reported dismantling improvised explosive device manufacturing cells in Anambra State.
In Imo State, police said an individual identified as Amos Andibo, also known as No Joy, was arrested over alleged involvement with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The police also reported the rescue of eight kidnapped people from a criminal hideout in Benue State, including Reverend Father John Otache.
These are operational claims made by the police at the national briefing. The allegations against arrested individuals remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
The examples nevertheless illustrate the different types of operations handled by police formations, ranging from kidnapping investigations to counterterrorism and the recovery of explosive materials.
The police said intelligence gathering, technology-supported operations and cooperation with other security agencies would remain part of their response.
Sources: Daily Nigerian | The Guardian.
DSS Reports Foiled Kidnapping Plot in Katsina
The Department of State Services (DSS) also presented information about operations during the September–October review period.
The service reported foiling a planned mass kidnapping operation in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to the security briefing as reported by The Guardian, 18 suspected bandits were neutralised during the operation and 45 people were rescued.
The DSS also reported efforts to dismantle supply networks linked to IPOB's Eastern Security Network.
It further said that a senior ISWAP figure, Abdussamad Ohida, had been eliminated in an operation in Ondo State.
The agency's reported operations formed part of the broader security presentation made to journalists and other stakeholders.
As with other agency figures, the reported results should be attributed to the DSS rather than presented as independently verified outcomes.
The announcement also illustrates the different responsibilities of the country's security institutions.
The Defence Headquarters coordinates military operations, the police handle general law enforcement and criminal investigations, while the DSS performs intelligence and domestic security functions.
Although their responsibilities differ, operations may involve cooperation where threats overlap.
Sources: The Guardian, 6 November 2026 | Voice of Nigeria.
Why the Distinction Between Boko Haram and ISWAP Matters
The military's denial specifically mentioned Boko Haram and ISWAP, two organisations that have played major roles in the insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
Although they share historical links, they are distinct armed groups with separate leadership structures and operational identities.
Boko Haram emerged from the insurgency that began in north-eastern Nigeria in 2009.
ISWAP developed as an Islamic State-affiliated breakaway faction and has operated largely around the Lake Chad Basin and parts of Borno State.
Their rivalry and separate structures are important when interpreting reports about negotiations or possible ceasefire arrangements.
The September investigation by The New Humanitarian specifically referred to a faction associated with Bakura Doro.
It did not establish that ISWAP was included in the alleged arrangement.
That distinction matters because a temporary agreement, if one existed with a particular faction, would not automatically end operations against other armed groups.
The military's November statement explicitly rejected any ceasefire with both Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Reuters reported that attacks on military positions by the two organisations had increased in recent weeks, underlining the continuing security pressures in the North-East.
The distinction also matters for regional security coordination because armed groups may use different locations, networks and tactics.
Security agencies therefore need information that identifies the organisations involved rather than treating every armed group as one unified structure.
Sources: Reuters | Premium Times | The New Humanitarian.
Regional Security Cooperation and the Multinational Joint Task Force
The Defence Headquarters also addressed regional cooperation, particularly the security framework involving countries around the Lake Chad Basin.
Major General Uba said the military had convened a strategic forum to review the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The review comes amid changes in regional political and diplomatic relationships following the withdrawal of neighbouring Sahel countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The military said the discussions involved serving and former commanders, security specialists and other experts.
The purpose was to identify intelligence gaps, assess operational experiences and consider future security requirements across the Lake Chad Basin.
The MNJTF is a regional security arrangement involving countries affected by armed groups operating around the Lake Chad region.
Its work is important because insurgent groups do not necessarily remain within one country's borders.
They may move between remote areas, use cross-border supply routes and exploit differences in national security arrangements.
For Nigeria, effective regional cooperation is relevant to monitoring movement corridors, sharing intelligence and preventing armed groups from using neighbouring territories to support attacks.
The changes in regional political relationships present additional coordination challenges.
The military said it was pursuing diplomatic and operational alternatives to maintain cooperation and strengthen border security.
Reuters also reported that Uba said Nigeria was in discussions with neighbouring Sahel states that had withdrawn from ECOWAS on security and diplomatic cooperation.
The details of any new agreements or operational arrangements were not fully disclosed at the briefing.
Sources: Reuters, 5 November 2026 | Voice of Nigeria, 5 November 2026.
Military Operations Must Be Measured Against Civilian Safety
The operational figures announced by the military are important, but the security situation cannot be assessed exclusively through arrests, weapons recoveries and reported neutralisations.
The wider impact of insecurity includes deaths, injuries, kidnappings, displacement, destruction of homes, loss of livelihoods and disruption to schools, businesses and agricultural activities.
Communities affected by insurgency and banditry often face difficulties returning to normal life even after armed groups have been pushed out of their immediate surroundings.
Road access, healthcare, education, markets and other essential services may remain disrupted.
The return of displaced residents also requires security guarantees and adequate infrastructure.
It is therefore important that military operations are accompanied by measures to protect civilians and restore essential public services.
These include appropriate intelligence, compliance with the laws governing armed conflict, investigations into allegations of misconduct and coordination with civilian authorities.
The recovery of abducted people is also only one stage of rehabilitation.
Survivors may require medical care, psychosocial support, assistance returning to their families and help rebuilding livelihoods.
Families affected by kidnapping may also need support after paying for medical treatment, transport and other expenses associated with the incident.
The government and security agencies therefore face responsibilities that extend beyond the conduct of military operations.
The long-term objective is to establish conditions in which communities can remain secure, resume ordinary activities and access essential services without continued fear of attacks.
Security Agencies Also Address Election-Related Threats
The joint security briefing included discussion of security risks ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.
The Nigeria Police Force acknowledged reports of pre-election violence, including destruction of political campaign materials and alleged intimidation of opposition supporters.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu said special police commands and state commissioners of police had been directed to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in pre-election violence.
He also urged people who experience attacks to report incidents through official police channels rather than relying only on social media.
The police said it had conducted security assessments ahead of the elections and was working with INEC and other agencies to protect members of the National Youth Service Corps and other temporary electoral personnel.
This is particularly important because election workers and ad hoc staff may be deployed to areas with different levels of security risk.
The protection of electoral personnel, election materials and polling facilities is an important part of maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
The police also said commissioners of police had been instructed to address hate speech and incitement that could contribute to violence.
The security briefing therefore covered more than counterterrorism.
It also addressed wider public safety responsibilities as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 election period.
Sources: The Guardian, 6 November 2026 | OyoNews, 6 November 2026.
The Security Challenge Remains Despite Reported Operational Gains
The military's operational report has to be considered alongside the wider security developments recorded across Nigeria.
An October security assessment by EONS Intelligence, reported by The Guardian on 5 November, recorded 519 security incidents nationwide during the period it reviewed.
The report said overall incidents had declined by 11 per cent compared with September.
However, it also identified a shift in the geographical distribution of incidents, with a reported increase in the South and a decrease in the North.
The EONS assessment recorded 300 incidents in northern Nigeria and 219 in the South.
A separate report by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room identified 70 physical election-related attacks across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between 1 January and 27 October 2026.
It said those incidents resulted in 27 deaths.
These figures come from different monitoring organisations and cover different categories and reporting periods. They should not be directly combined with the military's operational totals.
They nevertheless demonstrate why security policy requires more than reports of military successes.
A decline in one category of incidents may occur alongside an increase in another.
The government must therefore consider kidnapping, political violence, attacks on security personnel, communal conflict, terrorism and organised crime as separate but potentially interconnected challenges.
The security situation also varies considerably between states and communities.
National figures provide a broad picture, but they do not necessarily reflect the risks experienced by individual residents.
Sources: The Guardian, 5 November 2026 | OyoNews, 6 November 2026.
What Happens Next?
The Defence Headquarters says military operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed groups will continue.
The immediate focus includes sustaining operations in areas where armed groups remain active, monitoring emerging movement corridors and strengthening military formations in vulnerable locations.
The military has also said it is reviewing its operational arrangements within the Multinational Joint Task Force and pursuing continued regional security cooperation.
For the Nigeria Police Force, the priorities include intelligence gathering, criminal investigations, kidnapping response, protection of public spaces and preparations for the 2027 election period.
The DSS is expected to continue intelligence operations against kidnapping networks and other threats within its responsibilities.
Several developments will be important to monitor:
Whether military operations lead to a measurable reduction in attacks on military positions and civilian communities in the North-East.
Whether the 717 reported rescue cases can be followed by effective rehabilitation and support for survivors.
Whether intelligence operations successfully disrupt kidnapping and weapons-supply networks.
Whether regional cooperation with neighbouring countries strengthens cross-border security.
Whether the police and other institutions can prevent election-related violence and protect electoral workers.
The military's denial of a ceasefire also leaves the wider allegations surrounding Ngoshe open to further public scrutiny.
The Federal Government's position is that no ransom was paid for the release of the abductees, while the military has now denied that a ceasefire agreement existed.
Further credible evidence or official documentation would be needed to establish the details of the alleged negotiations.
A Continuing Test for Nigeria's National Security System
Nigeria's Defence Headquarters has used its November 5 briefing to reaffirm that military operations against armed groups remain active.
The military reported 588 operations in September and October, with 435 terrorists and bandits neutralised, 809 suspects arrested, 198 insurgents surrendering and 717 kidnapped people rescued.
The police presented separate figures, including 1,519 arrests, 255 rescued victims and 227 recorded kidnapping cases.
The DSS also reported operations involving kidnapping prevention and intelligence-led security activities.
These developments demonstrate the scale and variety of the security responsibilities facing the country's institutions.
However, the continuing reports of attacks, kidnappings and violent incidents show that operational activity must be evaluated alongside the actual safety of communities.
The issue of the alleged Boko Haram ceasefire has also demonstrated the importance of transparent official communication, especially when allegations involve the release of abducted civilians and possible financial arrangements.
For citizens, the most important outcomes are improved protection, fewer attacks, safe roads, secure communities and the ability to carry out daily activities without fear.
For security agencies, the challenge is to turn operational deployments into lasting improvements while maintaining accountability and cooperation.
The central test for Nigeria's security response is whether continued military and intelligence operations can translate into sustained civilian safety, fewer kidnappings, stronger regional cooperation and the restoration of normal life in communities affected by violence.
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