Troops Apprehend 26 Terrorist Informants, Sympathisers, Intercept Logistics Supplies in One Week

.Army arrests 5 suspected criminals with concealed AK-47 rifles in Kwara

.Council chairman seeks divine intervention over insecurity

Linus Aleke in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin    

The Defence Headquarters yesterday announced the arrest of 26 terrorist collaborators, informants, and sympathisers in the North-east operational theatre.

This came as troops of the Nigerian Army, deployed to the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, intercepted logistics supplies meant for terrorists during an ambush operation in the area.

The Nigerian Army on Thursday arrested five suspected bandits at a checkpoint along Share town in the Ifelodun local government area of the state after six AK-47 rifles were found with them. 

Also in Kwara, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Yusuf, has called on stakeholders to set politics aside, pray for divine intervention against banditry and kidnapping attacks in the council.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the arrest of 26 terrorist collaborators, informants, and sympathisers in the North-east during a monthly briefing at the DHQ in Abuja.

Major General Kangye also revealed that various logistics items — including a large quantity of fabric, vehicles, motorcycles, and materials used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) — were recovered during the operation.

He stated that the recovered items are currently in the custody of the troops, while interrogation of suspects is ongoing.

He said, “The troops sustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists freedom of action in the North-east region. Our ground forces, in conjunction with the Air Component, Hybrid Forces, and local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.

“Their efforts led to the elimination of several terrorists and their logistics suppliers, the recovery of weapons, the dismantling of terrorist networks, and the creation of a secure environment for the safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.

“Troops carried out both kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorists in Damboa, Konduga, Gwoza, Marte, Bama, Nganzai, Chibok, and Biu Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as in Bula, Nguru, and Mubi North local government areas of Yobe and Adamawa states. During the encounters, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and rescued three kidnapped victims.”

In related operations conducted between 15 and 22 September 2025, troops were deployed to Kaga, Kukawa, Monguno, and Ngala LGAs of Borno State, as well as Mubi South, Mubi North, and Nguru LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa states.

“Overall, the troops recovered large quantities of various arms, including automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated firearms, and materials used in the production of improvised explosive devices. A cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition was also recovered,” the military said. 

A statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, confirmed that a 54-year-old logistics supplier and a 31-year-old Boko Haram fighter were also apprehended.

He said, “On 19 September, troops of 232 Battalion (Tactical) and Sector 4 Special Forces seized seven jerricans of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Vintim, Mubi South LGA. On 21 September, troops intercepted nine jerricans of PMS along Fillin Ball–Gella Road in Mubi South.

“Additionally, on 24 September, another five jerricans of PMS were seized at Tsamiya, Mubi North, Adamawa State. On 21 and 24 September, troops also uncovered quantities of urea fertiliser at Mubi Central Market. Suspected suppliers fled the scene, abandoning the products. These consistent interceptions have dealt a significant blow to terrorist logistics and IED-making capabilities.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said that the arrest of the suspected bandits came a day after six persons suspected to be couriers for the kidnappers were arrested around Babanla town, also in the Ifelodun LGA, with a large consignment of bread and petrol. 

He said, “Five suspected kidnappers were arrested today along Share axis. They concealed six AK47 under the charcoal in a Golf saloon car this afternoon.”

“They were intercepted by the Nigerian Army team on patrol. The five suspects are undergoing interrogation,” a security source said.

“Their arrest came a day after six persons suspected to be couriers for the kidnappers were arrested around Babanla, also in the Ifelodun LGA, with a large consignment of bread and petrol. 

“They were suspected of acting as couriers for kidnapping gangs in the axis. They were arrested while hiding, during a surveillance operation by government-backed local vigilantes around Babanla on Wednesday.

“They have been transferred to the police headquarters in Ilorin for further investigation,” the source added.

The CPS also said that many criminals were reportedly eliminated in a coordinated assault by government vigilante forces in Omu Aran-Eruku, earlier on Tuesday,

“Six motorcycles, assault rifles, and many loaded magazines were recovered from their hideouts.” 

In another development, Hon. Yusuf who made the call yesterday at a press briefing in Ilorin to commemorate the first year anniversary of his administration, said “I call on all stakeholders to start to pray for our land in this trying time of security instability, to set politics aside and come together to pray for lasting peace, security and the prosperity of Ifelodun local government and Kwara State as a whole.”

The chairman also highlighted all his achievements across the wards, stressing that he’s poised to improve on his achievements in his second year in office.

He also explained that the market was temporarily closed to enable the local government track the thriving cases of informants that are aiding criminal activities in the areas.

He tasked people to be conscious of their patriotism and stay away from the criminal activities, assuring everything was being done to put the rampant cases of informants aiding criminalities behind them.

The council boss called on the state government to liaise with the federal government to facilitate military base to the local government, being the largest council in Nigeria to be able to effectively fight criminalities to a standstill in the area.

He also hinted that the local governments across the state are fully enjoying local government autonomy as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq never intervened in their activities.

“The only thing is that the money is being paid directly into our accounts but directly paid into the joint account where our members are signatories. There are no more joint projects, I execute projects that I consider paramount to my people.’

“We are free to executive projects as we deem fit and whichever local government that is not performing now would have itself to blame.” he said