Nigeria: 7,062 security operations in two months, 777 hostages released

Security in Nigeria mobilized 7,062 operations in July and August 2026, in a context marked by the persistence of attacks and kidnappings. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) states that 1,487 insurgents were neutralized during these two months.

The report presented on Monday, September 7, in Abuja also states that 354 suspects have been arrested and 777 kidnapping victims rescued. These figures come from federal authorities and have not been independently verified in their entirety.

Abuja primarily emphasizes increased coordination between the army, the police, intelligence, and other internal security services. The stated objective is to improve information sharing and the continuity of operations in the most exposed areas.

Pressure remains intense in several regions of the country. Jihadist groups remain active in the Northeast, while kidnappings for ransom and banditry continue to affect the Northwest and the Centre. For the populations, the significance of the toll will depend primarily on the authorities’ ability to sustainably reduce this violence.

Regional security at the heart of the strategy

The fight against kidnappings remains a key indicator. A recent report estimated the ransoms paid in one year in Nigeria at several billion nairas, illustrating the economic burden of this crime and the pressure exerted on households and businesses.

The response also extends beyond national borders. Abuja has strengthened its cooperation with its neighbors within the framework of a security front involving Nigeria, Benin, and Niger. The next test will therefore be less about the sheer number of operations and more about the sustained reduction in attacks, kidnappings, and the sense of insecurity in the most affected areas.