Nigeria arrests 312 suspects, rescues 409 hostages in February security operations

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Defence Headquarters says it arrested about 312 suspected terrorists and criminals and rescued 409 abducted civilians during coordinated military operations across the country in the month of February 2026.

During a monthly press briefing, the Director of Media Operations, Major General Micheal Onoja, said troops carried out sustained intelligence-led ground and air offensives, supported by community cooperation and non-kinetic measures, while adhering to international humanitarian law and rules of engagement.

In the North-East, forces under Operation Hadin Kai maintained pressure on Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province across parts of Borno and Yobe states. The military said 85suspects were arrested, 46 insurgents and their families surrendered, and 104 kidnapped victims were rescued during operations in Kukawa, Abadam, Bama and Damboa in Borno State, as well as Damaturu, Geidam, Bade and Gulani in Yobe State. Troops also repelled a drone-assisted attack in Kukawa and intercepted vehicles carrying supplies and fertiliser allegedly meant for insurgents.

In the North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded arrests of 36 suspects and the rescue of 251 hostages across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states. A key operation on 21 February led to the rescue of 21 abducted victims from Gidan Sarkin Bayero village in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State, two days after they were kidnapped.In the North-Central, Operation Savannah Shield expanded operations in Kwara and Niger states, targeting terrorist hideouts in forested and border areas. The military said several terrorists were neutralised, hostages rescued and weapons recovered during a major engagement on 18 February along the Kainji–Kwimo road in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

Also in the North-Central, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State arrested 29 suspects and rescued 22 hostages during raids in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa local government areas. Troops were also deployed to Babuje, Razat, Jol and Dan Tanko communities, where swift interventions were credited with calming farmer-herder clashes.

Under Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, covering Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and parts of Kogi states, the military said 49 suspects werearrested and 32 hostages rescued. A key arrest on 21 February in Sarkin Kudu, Ibi LGA of Taraba State, led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and ₦2.44m in cash, while a suspected logistics supplier was arrested two days later in Tajimi, Lokoja LGA of Kogi State.

In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe arrested 59 suspects during intensified operations against oil theft and illegal refining. Troops also destroyed 32 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 144,000 litres of crude oil and 31,601 litres of diesel across the Niger Delta. In Cross River State, suspected gunrunners were arrested in Ugep and Adim, with weapons and ammunition recovered during follow-up raids.

In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka led to the arrest of 54 suspects during operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. Themilitary said several kidnapped victims were also rescued, while clearance operations disrupted suspected logistics hubs.

Summing up February’s operations, the military said sustained land, air and maritime actions had weakened criminal networks, enabled the rescue of abducted civilians and supported the gradual restoration of civil authority. Nigerians were urged to remain vigilant as Ramadan and Lent begin, and to report suspicious activity to security agencies.