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| Official Portrait of the Chief of Defence Staff |
The Nigerian Armed Forces have recorded significant successes in the ongoing fight against insurgency and criminality in the South-East region, with scores of terrorists neutralised and 54 suspects arrested during intensified operations in February, the Defence Headquarters has announced.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday, 27 February 2026 at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. He stated that Operation UDO KA had intensified actions against dissident groups, particularly the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), across Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.
"Our troops conducted clearance operations on an identified building observed to be an IPOB/ESN logistics hub. On sighting troops' approach, terrorists opened fire but were repelled by troops' superior firepower, which forced them to withdraw into a rugged valley," Major General Onoja stated. "Battle damage assessment revealed that scores of terrorists were neutralised while some were severely wounded in action."
The Director of Defence Media Operations further disclosed that the operation led to the rescue of several kidnapped hostages who have been reunited with their families, underscoring the military's commitment to protecting innocent civilians from criminal elements terrorising communities in the region.
According to Major General Onoja, Operation UDO KA has adopted a comprehensive approach combining kinetic military actions with non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, medical outreaches, and conflict resolution initiatives. These coordinated offensives have targeted terrorist hideouts, disrupted criminal networks, and prevented multiple planned attacks on civilians and security forces.
Major General Onoja noted that the sustained operations have contributed to a notable decline in violent incidents across the South-East, resulting in improved public confidence and a gradual return to normalcy in affected communities. Market activities, farming operations, and inter-community movements have reportedly increased as residents express renewed faith in the security architecture.
"The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to its constitutional mandate of defending the territorial integrity of the nation and securing the lives and properties of all Nigerians," Major General Onoja emphasized. "We will continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and security in the South-East and across the country."
The Defence Headquarters called on law-abiding
citizens to continue supporting security forces by providing timely and
credible intelligence on criminal activities in their communities, assuring
that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality. The
military also warned criminal elements to abandon their nefarious activities
and embrace peace or face the full wrath of the law.