Intensified Operations Nationwide Degraded Criminal Networks – DHQ

Nigeria’s military says intensified land, air and maritime operations across the country in February 2026 have further degraded terrorist and criminal networks, resulting in the neutralisation of scores of insurgents, arrests of suspects and the rescue of kidnapped victims.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, stated this during the monthly news conference on ongoing military operations nationwide.

He said troops arrested more than 300 suspected criminals across various theatres, rescued hundreds of kidnapped victims and recorded fresh surrenders of insurgents and their families, particularly in the North-East, as sustained pressure continues to yield results.

Major General Onoja explained that in the North-East, troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI intensified offensive operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS elements across Borno and Yobe States.

He said these operations led to the neutralisation of several terrorists, the arrest of 85 suspects, the rescue of 104 kidnapped victims and the surrender of 46 insurgents and their families.

He further explained that troops also repelled attacks in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State and intercepted logistics supplies allegedly meant for insurgents.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA Major General said troops recorded significant gains across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, with several terrorists neutralised, 36 suspects arrested and 251 kidnapped victims rescued.

Troops also intercepted arms and ammunition from gunrunners, while additional security support, including newly deployed armoured personnel carriers, enhanced operational response in the zone.

The Director further revealed that in the North-Central region, troops of Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE carried out clearance and fighting patrols across Niger, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and Kogi States.

The operations led to the arrest of dozens of suspects, rescue of hostages, recovery of arms and ammunition, and the arrest of a key terrorist logistics supplier, alongside efforts to quell farmer-herder clashes in affected communities.

Meanwhile, Operation DELTA SAFE in the South-South sustained its crackdown on oil theft and illegal refining activities, arresting 59 suspects, dismantling 32 illegal refining sites and recovering over 144,000 litres of crude oil and more than 31,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil. In the South-East, Operation UDO KA intensified actions against criminal elements, leading to the arrest of 54 suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims and the disruption of identified logistics hubs linked to dissident groups.

Major General Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to consolidating operational gains and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, urging citizens to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing operations.

Aisha Adesanya, Edited By Grace Namiji