The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Friday said its troops have arrested 283 terrorists in February this year across all its theatres of operations in the country.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Michael Onoja, told journalists that many terrorists were killed during the month while 251 kidnapped victims were rescued by the military, adding that integrating kinetic strikes with non-kinetic initiatives such as “humanitarian aid, infrastructure support, and dialogue with local leaders, we are building resilient communities capable of withstanding adversarial influences.”
According to General Onoja: “Throughout February, the AFN intensified its multi-domain operations, leveraging advanced intelligence, inter-agency collaboration, and community partnerships to dismantle threats posed by terrorists, kidnappers and economic saboteurs.
“As we delve into the specifics, I assure you that every action taken adheres strictly to international humanitarian standards, rules of engagement, and a profound respect for human rights in line with global best practices.
“In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained its kinetic campaign against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) factions, effectively curtailing their mobility and logistical capabilities, through joint efforts with hybrid forces, the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters.
“Our ground operations were bolstered by aerial reconnaissance which targeted insurgent strongholds in remote and border regions.
“This month, we neutralized scores of terrorists, arrested eighty-five (85) suspects, facilitated the surrender of forty-six (46) insurgents and their families and rescued one hundred and four (104) kidnapped victims. Significant recoveries of arms, ammunition and equipment have further eroded terrorist networks, enabling the safe return of displaced persons and revitalizing local economies.
“Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West has been instrumental in countering terrorism across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. By fusing ground manoeuvres with air interdiction and real-time intelligence, troops maintained operational superiority, neutralizing several terrorists, arresting thirty-six (36) suspects, and rescuing two hundred and fifty-one (251) hostages.
“The highlight of troops activities was on 21 February 2026, where troops rescued twenty-one (21) victims from Gidan Sarkin Bayero village in Musawa LGA of Katsina State, who were abducted on 19 February 2026 and were safely handed over to state authorities.”
In Plateau State, General Onoja disclosed that: “Operation ENDURING PEACE has effectively addressed terrorism, kidnapping, and ethno-religious tensions through robust responses to distress calls. Troops neutralized several terrorists, arrested twenty-nine (29) criminals, rescued twenty-two (22) hostages, and recovered arms in multiple raids, demonstrating seamless coordination with air and other security agencies.
“Operation WHIRL STROKE, covering Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, and parts of Kogi States, has tackled farmer-herder disputes, banditry, and kidnappings with offensive raids and patrols.
“Successes include neutralizing terrorists, arresting forty-nine (49) suspects, rescuing thirty-two (32) hostages, and recovery of arms. The arrest of a key terrorist on 21 February 2026 in Sarkin Kudu, Ibi LGA of Taraba State, yielded recovery of arms, magazines, ammunition, and Two Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N2,440,000) only, while a wanted logistics supplier was apprehended on 23 February 2026 in Tajimi, Lokoja LGA of Kogi. These disruptions have impacted criminal finances and encouraged surrenders.”
He went further to say that: “In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE has ramped up anti-oil theft measures, arrested fifty-nine (59) criminals, rescued hostages, recovered one hundred and forty-four thousand and fifty (144,050) litres of crude oil and thirty-one thousand, six hundred and one (31,601) litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO), and destroying thirty-two (32) illegal refining sites.
“Working together, maritime and land components as well as other security agencies dismantled processing equipment, thus safeguarding national assets.
“Operation UDO KA in the South-East intensified actions against dissident groups like the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) across Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. Some success recorded during the month were the arrest of Fifty-Four (54) terrorists and other criminal elements and rescue of kidnapped hostages.
“A key focus of recent activities included troops clearance operations to an identified building observed to be an IPOB/ESN logistics hub.
Onoja assured that “the Armed Forces of Nigeria troops across all theatres maintained aggressive, intelligence-led and coordinated land, air and maritime operations, relentlessly confronting terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements that threatened national peace and stability.”
