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In a media briefing by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said the operations intensified kinetic and non-kinetic operations, delivering significant blows to terrorist groups, kidnappers, oil thieves, and separatist elements. That these sustained efforts underscore the Armed Forces of Nigeria's resolve to safeguard Nigeria's democracy, economic stability, and the well-being of its people in the face of evolving security threats. The operations have denied adversaries safe havens, curtailed their mobility, and paved the way for safe return of displaced persons, economic revival, and community confidence.
These achievements highlight the Armed Forces of Nigeria's proactive posture in countering disinformation, propaganda, and asymmetric threats while upholding human rights and the rule of law.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have sustained a robust kinetic campaign against remnants of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) factions. Troops neutralized scores of terrorists, arrested 20 suspects, facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents along with their families and rescued 24 kidnapped victims.
Key highlights include the arrest on 28 February 2026 of two suspected terrorist collaborators in Biu LGA of Borno State. The suspects confessed to facilitating the sale of rustled cattle, purchasing fuel, and providing other logistics for terrorists. Under troops guidance, they led forces to uncover a hidden storage room containing terrorist medical supplies. However, the storekeeper fled prior to arrival of troops. Both suspects and recovered items are in custody. Separately, a suspected kidnapper was arrested in Ajiwango Village, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State. The suspect admitted membership in a five-man syndicate responsible for kidnapping five victims and collecting a N3,000,000 ransom. The suspect is in custody while operations continue to apprehend the remaining members. Also, on the same day, 28 February 2026, troops conducting offensive operations in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State successfully repelled a terrorist attack. In the ensuing gunbattle, scores of terrorists were neutralized, and sophisticated arms along with a cache of ammunition were recovered. Similarly, on 1 March 2026, troops in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State engaged terrorists deploying armed drones at troops location. The encounter resulted in terrorist casualties and the recovery of arms, ammunition, anti-tank bombs, locally made mortar bombs, armed drones, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) manufacturing materials.
In a major development, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI engaged terrorist structures in Sambisa Forest. Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the neutralization of top terrorist ring leaders Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago and Ba Alayi Benbem (all senior figures), along with fighter Hussaini Ubaida. Efforts continue to verify additional casualties. Corroborating reports from Human Sources indicate that the precision strike on 2 March 2026 neutralized over 18 terrorist ring leaders and 42 fighters, underscoring the effectiveness of joint air-ground integration in targeting high-value leadership.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
In Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops maintained operational momentum through seamless integration of ground manoeuvres, air interdiction, real-time intelligence and community collaboration. During the week, troops neutralized several terrorists, arrested eight suspects and rescued five hostages. A key highlight occurred on 28 February 2026 during an offensive patrol at Gobirawa Challi village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Troops intercepted a suspected terrorist riding a motorcycle. Upon interrogation and thorough search, military-related accoutrements were discovered in his possession. The suspect is currently in custody undergoing further investigation to uncover possible links to broader terrorist networks operating in the area.
On 2 March 2026, acting on credible intelligence, troops responded to reports of suspected terrorists receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Galadimawa, Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. On arrival, two suspects were apprehended while the doctor absconded. Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals, along with several others, had sustained injuries during prior encounters with troops and were seeking treatment under disguise. When compelled to lead troops to other hideouts, the suspects attempted to escape during an ambush but were neutralized alongside additional terrorist fighters. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the ambush scene. Also, on the same day, during a fighting patrol, troops intercepted a suspicious vehicle conveying two passengers. The suspects attempted to flee during a stop-and-search operation but were swiftly apprehended. A detailed search uncovered arms, magazines and 542 rounds of ammunition carefully concealed inside a bag of rice. The apprehended suspects and recovered items remain in custody pending further investigation and prosecution.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAVANNAH SHIELD
In Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops expanded their operational footprint in Kwara and Niger States, conducting targeted intelligence-driven offensives against terrorist hideouts located in dense forested areas and border terrains. During the week, troops neutralized several terrorists, arrested three suspects and rescued two kidnapped hostages. Substantial quantities of arms and related materials were also recovered, further degrading the capacity of criminal elements to sustain attacks or threaten civilian populations in the theatre of operations. A major operational success occurred on 1 March 2026 in Roguwa Forest, Patigi LGA of Niger State. Acting on credible human intelligence from adjoining communities, troops engaged terrorists in intense firefights. Over 17 terrorists were neutralized during the encounter, while several others were observed fleeing the forest with severe injuries. Clearance and follow-on operations are ongoing to locate, engage and completely eliminate the remaining terrorist elements in the general area.
In a related development on 28 February 2026, troops intercepted a suspicious vehicle along the Eruku-Egbe road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. A thorough search revealed eight 50-kg bags containing substances suspected to be ammonium chloride. The driver was unable to produce any authorization documents for the transportation of the material. Subsequent laboratory examination confirmed the substance as a key precursor component used in the manufacture of IEDs. The driver and recovered substances are in custody pending further investigation and appropriate legal action.
To consolidate these gains and prevent the re-establishment of criminal sanctuaries, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD has intensified fighting patrols deep into forested zones in close collaboration with the state government. These sustained operations focus on areas historically exploited as hideouts and transit routes for terrorists, thereby enhancing overall security and enabling humanitarian access.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE
In Operation ENDURING PEACE, several terrorists were neutralized, three criminals were arrested and arms were recovered in multiple targeted raids. Notably, on 28 February 2026, troops conducting stop-and-search operations at Kurmin Goro in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State intercepted a suspected gunrunner. A thorough search led to the recovery of five fabricated rifles in the suspect’s possession. In a separate operation on the same day, troops raided the residence of a wanted criminal at Tenti Village, Butura District in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting a suspected arms and ammunition racketeer and recovering additional arms and ammunition. Both suspects and recovered items remain in custody pending completion of investigations and subsequent handover to relevant authorities for prosecution.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
In Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops neutralized terrorists, arrested sixteen suspects, rescued two kidnapped hostages and recovered various weapons. A significant development occurred during the week when troops arrested twelve suspected terrorists at Atachi in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed affiliation with Miyetti Allah but failed to produce any verifiable means of identification. Exploitation of their mobile phones revealed contact details saved in formats consistent with known terrorist communication patterns, including several numbers stored under coded and suspicious aliases, strongly suggesting links to criminal elements. Items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle, AK-47 magazine, substantial rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, mobile phones and the sum of Six Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand Naira (₦645,000.00). All suspects and exhibits are in custody for further investigation.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
In Operation DELTA SAFE, troops have escalated measures to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining (bunkering) and associated criminality. Through aggressive intelligence-led patrols, drone surveillance and rapid response operations, troops discovered and destroyed four illegal refining sites, dismantled critical processing equipment such as drum ovens, receivers, coolants and pipelines. This led to the arrest of seven oil thieves and other criminals. Assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered during these operations, with all suspects and exhibits currently in custody pending thorough investigation and prosecution.
In a key incident, troops destroyed two illegal refining sites at Abessa Forest in Ahoda West Local Government Area of Rivers State. On 27 February 2026, a wooden boat laden with about 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude was intercepted near Cool Beach in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. On the same day, 16 sacks containing roughly 960 litres of illegally refined products were recovered along the Omoku-Ahoada road in ONELGA, Rivers State. On 2 March 2026, troops discovered and neutralized an illegal refining site at Ozochi Community in Ahoda East Local Government Area, Further recoveries on 2 March included 1,200 litres of stolen crude in 17 sacks at Aminigboko general area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, and on 3 March, approximately 1,500 litres of suspected crude oil in a boat along the Akwete-Obuaya-Umore River in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. In all, the total volume of stolen crude oil and related products discovered and recovered during the period amounts to approximately 50,970 litres. The public is urged to provide credible intelligence and avoid patronizing illegal petroleum products.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
In Operation UDO KA troops escalated targeted operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). During the week, troops arrested five terrorists and other criminal elements while recovering arms, ammunition and incriminating materials. A major focus of troops activities has been the ongoing clearance operations targeting IPOB/ESN terrorist camps in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State. During an encounter, the terrorists fled to high ground areas. While exploiting the general area, troops uncovered a building used by the group as an administrative office. A thorough search led to the recovery of foreign currency, various weapons and a Police (MOPOL) shirt bearing Biafran insignias. Highly inflammable liquids discovered in the building were destroyed. All recovered items are in custody for further forensic examination and intelligence exploitation.
Acting on credible human intelligence concerning the nefarious activities of one suspect, troops conducted a raid on his residence in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State on 28 February 2026. Although the suspect fled prior to the troops’ arrival, the operation yielded the recovery of several locally fabricated pistols and a cache of live cartridges. Efforts to track, locate and apprehend the suspect is ongoing. Additionally, troops conducted cordon-and-search operations at Okon Aku Community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. During the operation, three suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists were arrested and arms and ammunition were recovered from them. The suspects and all recovered items are currently in custody pending further investigation and appropriate legal proceedings.
General Onoja concluded that these sustained and multi-theatre operations have delivered measurable strategic gains: scores of terrorists neutralized, high-value ring leaders eliminated, dozens of suspects arrested, over 50 kidnapped victims rescued, sophisticated weapons and armed drones recovered, illegal refining sites dismantled and approximately 51,000 litres of stolen crude oil intercepted.
The public is strongly encouraged to sustain and intensify support by providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, maintaining vigilance in their communities and deliberately rejecting the spread of unverified rumours, inflammatory messages, or disinformation that adversaries exploit to sow fear, division and mistrust. Every accurate tip and every act of responsible information-sharing directly contributes to the successes recorded and accelerates the journey towards irreversible security gains.
"The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, heartily commends the extraordinary gallantry, unwavering sacrifice, and high professional standards displayed by troops across all Joint Task Forces and support elements in the face of complex and dangerous threats. He solemnly pays tribute to the fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of our fatherland; their courage and patriotism will forever be etched in the nation’s memory. The CDS reassures the families of the fallen and all serving personnel of the AFN’s total and enduring commitment to their welfare, care, and honour. He equally expresses deep and sincere appreciation to the resilient Nigerian people whose steadfast cooperation, provision of life-saving intelligence and abiding trust have been indispensable to these operational successes as well as to the media and all strategic stakeholders for consistently amplifying factual, balanced narratives that strengthen civil-military relations, counter hostile propaganda and reinforce national unity. The AFN pledges to deepen these vital collaborative partnerships and to spare no effort in the collective pursuit of lasting security for every citizen across the length and breadth of our beloved country" Onoja concluded.