Troops of Operation Savannah Shield, a joint task force operating in North-central Nigeria, have apprehended five suspected terrorist informants during separate operations in Niger State. The arrests led to the recovery of communication devices, cash, and other items believed to be connected to criminal networks.
The acting spokesperson for the task force, Captain Jamilu Yahaya of the Nigerian Army, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He explained that three suspects were arrested on Saturday during a routine fighting patrol along the Doro axis in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area. Preliminary investigations suggest the individuals are members of a terror group operating in Duru, near the borders of Kainji Lake National Park. Premium Times had previously reported that at least three jihadi and criminal bandit groups are active within the park.
According to Captain Yahaya, the troops recovered two Tecno keypad phones, an MP3 device containing recorded propaganda and inciting messages, and N113,400 in cash from the suspects. One of the audio recordings allegedly included claims of an abduction in Kaduna State and the payment of a N60 million ransom. “The suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network,” he stated.
In a separate operation, troops from the 221 Battalion under the task force arrested two additional suspected informants during a routine patrol along the Wawa military cantonment perimeter fence. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been deployed to gather intelligence on the cantonment. Further examination of one suspect's mobile phone uncovered a photograph of a beheaded individual dated 2 May 2026, suggesting possible links to terrorist activities. Items recovered from these suspects included an Android mobile phone, a Tecno keypad phone, a motorcycle, and N86,100 in cash. The suspects remain in military custody pending further inquiries.
This newspaper previously reported that a joint force of Sahelian jihadists and their Nigerian associates attempted to attack the Wawa military cantonment in October 2022 but were repelled by the military. The cantonment houses a detention facility holding over 1,000 terrorists. Captain Yahaya emphasized that these arrests highlight the task force's ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal and terrorist support networks across its area of operations. “The task force remains committed to denying criminal elements freedom of action and sustaining pressure on threats to peace and security in the North-central region,” he concluded.
