Nigeria Security Situation Review – February 2026 (Total Issue No. 290)

Analysis of Nigeria’s Social Security Situation – February 2026

Researcher No. 007

Based on monitoring reports from Hanwei International’s West Africa Security Officer and comprehensive media coverage, 66 security incidents were recorded across Nigeria in February 2026. These incidents resulted in 585 civilian deaths, 21 security force deaths, and at least 101 abductions. Incident types mainly included armed attacks and kidnappings, military clearance operations, and public safety accidents.

Compared with January, the number of security incidents decreased by 21, fatalities increased by 289, and abductions decreased by 287. Analysis indicates that Nigeria’s security situation remained severe in February: although the number of incidents fell, fatalities rose sharply. Large‑scale armed attacks and kidnappings continued to surge in Benue and Plateau States (central region), Kaduna State (north‑central), and Borno State (northeast), causing heavy casualties.

On February 3, two remote villages in Kwara State, central Nigeria were attacked, leaving at least 162 dead and numerous women and children abducted. This was the deadliest armed attack in Nigeria in 2026 to date, drawing intense international attention. On February 4, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu issued a statement via his spokesperson, describing the incident as a “reprisal massacre by terror cells in response to ongoing counter‑terrorism operations.” He announced the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, to launch a new clearance operation codenamed Operation Prairie Shield.

On February 17, the UN Security Council condemned the terrorist attack in the strongest terms, emphasizing that terrorism in all its forms constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security, and that the perpetrators, organizers, and sponsors of the attack must be brought to justice.

Security risks are extremely high in central, mid‑western, and northeastern Nigeria, and high in other regions.

I. Comprehensive Analysis of Security Incidents

The 66 security incidents in February broke down as follows:

28 armed attacks (42%)
19 armed kidnappings (28%)
1 ethnic conflict (1.5%)
8 public safety incidents (12%)
7 military clearance operations (10%)
3 protests and demonstrations (4.5%)

In total, the incidents caused 672 deaths and at least 101 abductions. The death toll included 585 civilians, 21 security personnel, and 66 terrorists killed in operations.

(1) Extremely High Risk in Central, Mid‑western and Northeastern Nigeria

Security incidents were concentrated in Borno State (northeast), Benue and Plateau States (central), and Kaduna State (north‑central). High‑risk zones also included Niger, Katsina, and Kwara States.

Plateau and Benue States faced the highest risk, each recording 9 incidents (up 4 and 2 from January respectively), dominated by armed attacks and kidnappings that killed 108 and abducted 45.

In addition, threatening letters from terrorist groups were discovered in Kwara and Kebbi States, sparking widespread panic:

On February 13, a threatening letter signed by the “Nigerian Terrorist Army (NTA)” was found in Owode Local Government Area, Kwara State, threatening killings, abductions, and destruction. Schools closed, businesses shut down, and police went on red alert.
On February 19, a community in Kebbi State received a letter suspected to be from Boko Haram, threatening attacks unless a ransom of approximately 100 million naira was paid to community leaders. Many families fled their homes.

On February 4, Hanwei International’s West Africa Security Officer issued a security alert: criminal groups planned attacks on Chinese enterprises, projects, and personnel in Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, and Kogi States in early February. Chinese companies and individuals were urged to strengthen security, conduct risk checks, improve emergency plans, and avoid non‑essential travel.

(Figure 1: Distribution of Security Incidents – February 2026)

(Chart 1: Statistics of Security Incidents by Major Region – February 2026)

(2) Armed Attacks Cause Massive Casualties

In February, Nigeria recorded 47 armed attacks and kidnappings, killing 496 people and abducting 101. Compared with January, incidents fell by 18, deaths rose by 245, and abductions fell by 287.

Two key features emerged:

Large‑scale deadly attacks increased significantly.
There were 16 major attacks causing 10+ casualties.

Feb 3: 162 killed in Kwara State (single deadliest attack in recent times)
Feb 3: 23 civilians killed in Katsina State
Feb 14: 56 civilians killed in Niger State
Feb 18: 34 killed in coordinated attacks in Kebbi State by suspected “Lakurawa” militants
Feb 19: 50 killed in Zamfara State
Feb 24–25: 25 killed in Adamawa State

Cross‑border foreign militants worsened insecurity.
On February 23, the Nigerian Federal Government revealed that most terrorists carrying out deadly attacks in forest and farming communities in Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Niger, and Kwara States were foreign nationals exploiting weak border controls. Many arrested suspects spoke fluent French but not English or Hausa, pointing to involvement from Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and DRC. Nigeria is strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries to curb the threat.

(3) U.S. Troops Deployed to Nigeria

On February 11, the Nigerian and U.S. governments confirmed that the United States had deployed approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria, without disclosing exact numbers or locations. This marked the first acknowledgement of U.S. ground troops in Nigeria since airstrikes in late 2025.

U.S. AFRICOM stated the deployment was part of long‑term security cooperation to enhance training, intelligence sharing, and operational coordination against Boko Haram and ISWAP. Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters confirmed the troops would focus on training, technical support, and capacity building, not direct combat. Media analysis noted the deployment may boost military capabilities but raises questions over sovereignty and foreign military basing.

(4) Public Safety Incidents Cause Heavy Losses

Eight major public safety incidents killed 102 people (up 48 from January), including road crashes, boat accidents, and toxic gas leaks:

Feb 8: 30 killed in a road accident in Kano State
Feb 13: 14 drowned in a boat accident in Kebbi State
Feb 18: 37 killed in a toxic gas leak at a mine in Plateau State

Lassa fever continued to spread.As of February 8, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported:

280 new suspected cases
1,034 total suspected cases
240 confirmed cases
51 deaths (CFR 21.3%, higher than 19.4% in 2025)

Hotspots included Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Bauchi, Plateau, and Benue States. In Benue, 250 suspected cases, 45 confirmed, and 10 deaths were recorded, with 12 medical staff infected (5 doctors, 4 nurses, 2 community health workers, 1 porter).

(5) intensified Military Clearance Operations

In February, Nigerian security forces intensified counter‑terrorism operations in the northeast, central, and north‑central regions, killing 66 terrorists and rescuing 114 hostages.

Feb 4: Operation Desert Sweep V destroyed 3 extremist camps in the Timbuktu Triangle, killing 32 militants and freeing 70+ civilians.
Feb 7: Army recaptured 529 stolen livestock in Katsina State.
Feb 22: Operation Hadin Kai repelled multiple ISWAP attacks in Yobe and Borno States, killing 25 militants and seizing weapons and equipment.

(Chart 2: Breakdown of Security Incidents – February 2026)

(Chart 3: Fatalities by Category – February 2026)

(Chart 4: Comparison of Major Security Incidents – February vs. January 2026)

II. Risk Warnings and Prevention Recommendations

Chart 5 Nigeria Social Security Risk Early Warning

表格

Risk Level	Score Range	Tier	Regions/Cities	Hazard Sources
Extremely High Risk (Level 1)	17–25	I	Borno, Zamfara, etc. (NE/NW)	Boko Haram attacks, ethnic violence, military operations
		II	Kaduna & middle belt; oil‑producing south	Ethnic conflict, Niger Delta militancy, kidnapping
		III	Offshore Rivers State (Gulf of Guinea)	Piracy, armed kidnapping, theft
High Risk (Level 2)	10–16	I	Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Anambra	Hijacking, sporadic terror attacks
		II	Abuja, Lagos	Protests, kidnapping, theft
		III
Medium Risk (Level 3)	5–9	I
		II
Low Risk (Level 4)	1–4	I
		II

Note: Internal security risk assessment by Hanwei International

Recommended Security Measures

Full‑time security for all travelRemote rural areas lack police presence and have poor infrastructure. Chinese enterprises should obtain real‑time intelligence, conduct route risk assessments, and deploy security escorts.
Heightened vigilance during RamadanNigeria entered Ramadan on February 18. Historical patterns show increased terror risks during this period.

Feb 18: A traditional ruler killed in Ondo State
Feb 19: 34 Muslim worshippers killed in Kebbi State

Chinese nationals and companies must avoid high‑risk areas.

Effective risk avoidance
Most attacks occur in the northeast and north‑central regions, especially around Maiduguri, border areas with Niger, and Zamfara State. Kaduna and Abuja are volatile.

In case of attack: follow official instructions and contact security providers immediately.Upgrade facilities with CCTV, trenches, high walls, barbed wire, crash barriers, and alarms.Avoid crowded or symbolic targets: government buildings, military facilities, religious sites, schools, markets, highways, and pirate‑prone coastal areas.