Military Rescues 32 Hostages as Nationwide Operations Target Terror Groups

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Defence Headquarters have said nationwide operations across theatres have led to the rescue of about 32 kidnapped victims and the elimination of large numbers of terrorists during coordinated strikes carried out between 9 and 13 February 2026.

In a statement signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, the Defence Headquarters, the operations, conducted simultaneously across the North East, North West, North Central, South South and South East, also resulted in the arrest of several high-value suspects, including the wanted kidnap kingpin Kamaru Chawai, alongside multiple terror combatants, informants and logistics suppliers.

According to the military, the
troops recovered a large cache of arms—including machine guns, Rocket Propelled Gun tubes, locally fabricated weapons and Improvised Explosive Device-making materials—during the nationwide operations. The statement added that several wanted terrorists, informants, logistics suppliers and oil thieves were arrested, while multiple illegal refining sites were destroyed in the South South.

In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI eliminated dozens of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, with additional terrorists neutralised in air interdiction missions in Bama and Damboa.

In the North West, forces under Operation FANSAN YAMMA cleared terrorist hideouts across Zamfara, Kano and Katsina states, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering weapons and livestock. Similar successes were reported under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD and Operation ENDURING PEACE in Niger, Kwara, Plateau and Kaduna states, where a wanted kidnap kingpin, Kamaru Chawai, was captured along with other suspects. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE also dismantled notorious camps in Benue, Taraba and Kogi states, rescuing over 20 victims and recovering arms, ammunition and motorcycles.

In the southern theatres, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed nine illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa states and arrested 11 suspected oil thieves, including a notorious gunrunner.

In the South East, Operation UDO KA conducted cordon-and-search missions in Ebonyi, leading to the arrest of eight terror suspects and the recovery of weapons.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, praised the courage and resilience of personnel across all theatres, reaffirming the military’s commitment to intensifying operations and safeguarding citizens. He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces as they work to restore lasting peace and stability nationwide.