Troops rescue 409 hostages, arrest 354 criminals in February

The Defence Headquarters has announced a series of high-impact operational victories for February 2026, headlined by the successful rescue of 409 kidnapped hostages across various theaters of operation.

According to official statistics released by the Defence Media Operations on Sunday, the military's intensified campaign also resulted in the arrest of 354 individuals, including terrorists, bandits, and illegal miners.

These figures underscore a month of aggressive tactical engagements aimed at dismantling criminal networks that have long threatened the peace and stability of several Nigerian communities.

Beyond the rescue and arrest figures, the military made significant strides in crippling the economic lifelines of criminal syndicates by recovering N2.44 million in cash during field operations.

The war against energy sabotage also yielded substantial results, as troops successfully destroyed 32 illegal refining sites and intercepted 144,050 litres of stolen crude oil alongside 31,601 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

These maritime and land-based successes were supported by the specialized Joint Task Forces, including Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, which recently intercepted a terror courier and recovered armed drones intended for insurgent attacks.

The military's reach extended deep into the North-Central and North-West regions, where Operation Whirl Stroke and Operation Fansan Yamma intensified their efforts to stem communal clashes and banditry.

Significant territorial gains were recorded in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba, including the total destruction of major terror enclaves in Takum and Wukari.