The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Friday said troops deployed to different theatres of operations across the country arrested 312 suspected terrorists and rescued 409 hostages in the month of February.
The military high command also said it facilitated the surrender of forty-six (46) insurgents and their families
Speaking while briefing journalists on the on-going military operations in Abuja on Friday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed that troops also neutralized scores of terrorists in the month of February. 
According to him, in the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained its kinetic campaign against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’tuAhlis Sunna Lidda’awatiwal-Jihad (JAS) factions, effectively curtailing their mobility and logistical capabilities, through joint efforts with hybrid forces, the Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters.
“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,” he said.
The defence spokesperson revealed that a pivotal engagement occurred in Kukawa LGA of Borno state, where troops repelled an assault by terrorists equipped with gun trucks, motorcycles and five drones.
“The ensuing firefight resulted in the neutralization of multiple adversaries and the seizure of weapons and a stretcher, underscoring our offensive posture,” he said.
He noted that on 23 February 2026, troops intercepted a Toyota pick-up laden with vehicle spares and fabrics destined for Boko Haram, alongside a truck carrying four hundred and sixty (460) bags of fertilizers in Bade LGA of Yobe State.
“Similarly, forty-two (42) illegal miners were also apprehended in Gulani LGA of Yobe State, thereby disrupting illicit activities that fund insurgency,” he said.
Speaking further, the defence spokesperson said Operation FANSAN YAMMA in the North-West has been instrumental in countering terrorism across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
According to him, 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.
He disclosed that 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.
General Onoja added that in Plateau state, troops Operation ENDURING PEACE us effectively addressing terrorism, kidnapping, and ethno-religious tensions through robust responses to distress calls.
He added that 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.
He said in the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE has ramped up anti-oil theft measures, arresting fifty-nine (59) criminals, rescuing hostages, and recovered crude worth one hundred and forty-four thousand andfifty (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,” he said.
He maintained that troops of 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.
He said some successes 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,” he said.
