Arrest at Buni Yadi Market
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with local hunters, apprehended two suspected terrorist informants and cattle rustlers at the Buni Yadi Friday Market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. The operation, executed around 2:00 p.m. on July 24, 2026, was conducted by personnel of the 27 Task Force Brigade following actionable intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Muhammadu Sani, 32, a native of Mainahari in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State, and Buba Umaru, 40, from Garin Jauro in Fune Local Government Area, Yobe State. Their arrest marks a significant step in dismantling terrorist support networks in the North-East region.
Resistance and Injury
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited military sources, the arrest operation turned violent when one of the suspects resisted. "One of the suspects attacked a member of the hunters' group with a cutlass, causing severe head injuries," a military source told Makama. The injured hunter received immediate medical attention, while the troops managed to overpower and detain both suspects after a brief struggle.
Confession of a Long-Time Informant
Preliminary investigations revealed that Muhammadu Sani confessed to serving as a logistics supplier and informant for Boko Haram terrorists for nearly seven years. He admitted to providing the insurgents with supplies and critical intelligence. Furthermore, Sani confessed to leading Boko Haram fighters to the homes of two local residents, where the terrorists successfully rustled cattle during separate attacks. This confession is expected to enhance ongoing intelligence efforts to dismantle terrorist support structures operating within communities across the North-East.
Role of Local Collaboration
The arrests highlight the effectiveness of collaboration between military forces and community-based security groups in combating terrorism. Security officials emphasized that local intelligence remains crucial in identifying individuals who provide logistical support and operational information to terrorist elements. "The support of local hunters and vigilante groups is invaluable in our operations," a defense source said. "Their intimate knowledge of the terrain and the community helps us to pinpoint informants who enable terrorist activities."
Military sources added that troops of Operation HADIN KAI will continue to target terrorist collaborators, informants, and logistics networks as part of broader efforts to deny insurgents the local support that sustains their operations across the North-East.
Ongoing Investigation
Both suspects are currently in the custody of the 27 Task Force Brigade and are undergoing further interrogation. Investigators aim to determine the full extent of their involvement in terrorist logistics, intelligence gathering, and cattle rustling activities. The military has not ruled out the possibility of more arrests as the investigation unfolds.
The operation underscores the persistent threat of Boko Haram informants and the importance of community-military partnerships in ensuring security in the region. With over a decade of insurgency, the North-East continues to face challenges from terrorists who rely on local collaborators for survival.
