Troops’ February Onslaught: Hundreds of Terrorists Slain, Hostages Freed, Oil Thieves Crushed Nationwide

Angel Nwaozuzu

Nigeria’s Armed Forces unleashed relentless offensives and intelligence-driven strikes across the country in February 2026, choking off terrorists, bandits, and economic saboteurs while rescuing hundreds of hostages.

At a briefing in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja revealed that joint task forces pressed multi-domain operations, neutralizing scores of terrorists, arresting suspects, and seizing vast arms caches.

He disclosed that under Operations HADIN KAI in the North-East, Troops hammered Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS factions, killing several insurgents, arresting 85 suspects, securing surrenders from 46 fighters and families, and freeing 104 kidnap victims. In Borno’s Kukawa LGA, forces repelled a drone- and gun truck-backed assault, crippling enemy logistics.

Onoja added that in the North-West’s Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara freed 251 hostages and nabbed 36 suspects including 21 abductees safely returned in Katsina

Operations in the North-Central region under Operation WHIRL STROKE and Operation ENDURING PEACE, dozens of criminals were arrested, hostages rescued, arms recovered, and farmer-herder clashes quelled in Plateau communities.

He also said in the South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, Forces dismantled 32 illegal refineries, seized over 144,000 litres of crude oil and 31,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and arrested 59 oil thieves and gunrunners in the South- South

South-East Push in Operation UDOKA:
54 suspects linked to IPOB/ESN arrested, several fighters neutralized in raids on logistics hubs.

Major General Onoja stressed all actions followed international humanitarian law and rules of engagement, underscoring the military’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and human rights.

He urged vigilance during Ramadan and Lent, asking citizens to report suspicions through 193.

“The Armed Forces will keep the pressure on, forging a secure Nigeria where people live, work, and prosper in peace,” he affirmed.