The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained that the escalation in attacks and killings by terrorists across theatres in the North in recent times followed pressure being mounted on them by troops through aggressive operations.

The Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday at a news briefing, while responding to question on the incessant attacks, killings and kidnappings by the terrorists.

Onoja, however, said that scores of the terrorists were being killed across the country, assuring that their decimation is ongoing.

“You know, one of the things with terrorists is that when you put pressure on them, they are likely to target soft targets.

“I also want to let you know that that is what they are doing. But that should not deter us,” he said, adding that in the course of time the terrorists would be smoked out “from wherever they are”.

He added, “What is happening is that due to the pressure that the cooperation with America is bringing to bear on them, they are now targeting soft targets in order to magnify their operations.

Onoja further said that terrorists need the oxygen of broadcasting their activities, but urged the media to be more modest in reporting some of their activities so that they will not achieve what they want to achieve, which is to cause panic within society.

He stressed that the assistance from the Americans is adding value to troops’ operations, adding that the results would be manifest in no distant time.

Giving troops achievements in February 2026, the DMO said that a total of 312 terrorists were arrested, apart from several of them being neutralised, 409 kidnapped victims rescued, while 46 insurgents and their families surrendered.

Onoja gave the breakdown as follows: In the North East, 85 terrorists were arrested, while 104 kidnapped victims were rescued, and 46 insurgents and their families gave themselves up to troops during the period.

He said in the North West, troops arrested 36 terrorists and rescued 104, while in the North Central, 78 terrorists were nabbed and 54 rescued.

In the South South and South East, 59 terrorists and 54 terrorists were arrested, respectively, Onoja said.

He said the military is taking measures to checkmate the movement of fertiliser, especially in the North, as it is one of the components used for making Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by terrorists.

According to him, on 23 February 2026, troops intercepted a Toyota pick-up laden with vehicle spares and fabrics destined for Boko Haram, alongside a truck carrying 460 bags of fertilisers in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State.

He also said 42 illegal miners were apprehended in Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State, thereby disrupting illicit activities that fund insurgency.

Onoja said the arrest of a key terrorist on 21 February 2026 in Sarkin Kudu, Ibi LGA of Taraba State, yielded the recovery of arms, magazines, ammunition, and N2.4 million, while a wanted logistics supplier was apprehended on 23 February 2026 in Tajimi, Lokoja LGA of Kogi.

“These arrests disrupted and impacted criminal finances and encouraged surrenders,” he said.

He said the achievements in February showed the Armed Forces’ steadfast dedication to building a safe and secure Nigeria.

“As the sacred seasons of Ramadan and Lent commence, the AFN extends heartfelt best wishes to all observing these periods of reflection, prayer and communal harmony.

“We urge everyone to remain security conscious, report any suspicious activity promptly via our emergency line 193 and collaborate closely with security agencies to ensure peaceful and incident-free observances.”