Abuja: Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended a high-profile terrorist operative linked to a notorious terrorist leader and 60 suspected collaborators in separate operations across theatres. The arrests were among the latest operational successes recorded between Aug. 12 and 13, according to military report made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, in Kaduna, troops of the 4 Demonstration Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP operative allegedly working closely with terrorist leader Dogo Gide. The suspect was intercepted at Kadage Check Point while conveying seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect was a close confidant of Dogo Gide and had been supplying logistics to him. Troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three ATM cards, an identity card, and other items from the suspect.
Additionally, the military reported that troops of the 226 Battalion, supported by hunters, raided a motor park in the Gombi area of Adamawa following intelligence on suspected terrorist collaborators allegedly disguising themselves as menial workers and hawkers. The operation led to the arrest of 60 suspects, who are currently being held for further investigation.
In Zamfara, troops of the 1 Brigade recovered an RPG bomb during a fighting patrol around Tunga-Jambako in the Maradun Local Government Area. This recovery followed an earlier terrorist ambush, with troops subsequently conducting extensive searches to dominate the area. Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested five suspected terrorists during offensive operations in suspected terrorist enclaves at Chito, Jootar, and Ikyior in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue. The troops also destroyed the enclaves and recovered two motorcycles, two locally fabricated guns, and other items.
The report further revealed that troops intercepted five women and seven children suspected to be family members of terrorists in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno. This group reportedly escaped from a terrorist enclave in Gazuwa Camp. Similarly, troops intercepted six male children at Ajiri, who stated they had escaped from Murofari Village following violent clashes between rival terrorist groups.
The military emphasized that these operations demonstrate a continued focus on intelligence-led actions to disrupt terrorist logistics, dismantle criminal networks, and deny terrorists freedom of action across the country.