Soldiers arrest suspected terrorist informants in Niger

Troops from Operation Savannah Shield, a joint task force in North-central Nigeria, have arrested five suspected terrorist informants in Niger State. They made the arrests during different operations and recovered communication devices, cash, and other items linked to criminal activities.

Jamilu Yahaya, the acting spokesperson for the task force and a captain in the Nigerian Army, said in a statement on Sunday that three suspects were caught on Saturday. This happened during a routine patrol along the Doro axis in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area.

Yahaya mentioned that initial investigations showed the suspects were part of a terror group operating in Duru, close to Kainji Lake National Park. PREMIUM TIMES reported that at least three jihadi and bandit groups are active in the national park.

According to Yahaya, troops found two Tecno keypad phones, an MP3 device with recorded propaganda and inciting messages, and N113,400 in cash from the suspects. One of the audio recordings spoke about the kidnapping of a person in Kaduna State and a ransom of N60 million.

“The suspects and recovered items are now in custody for further investigation. We are also working to catch other members of this criminal network,” he said.

In another operation, Yahaya stated that troops from the 221 Battalion arrested two more suspected informants during a routine patrol near the Wawa military cantonment perimeter fence. Preliminary investigations showed that these suspects were gathering intelligence on the cantonment.

Yahaya added that further checks on one suspect’s phone revealed a photo of a beheaded person dated 2 May 2026. This suggests possible links to terrorist activities. From the suspects, troops seized an Android mobile phone, a Tecno keypad phone, a motorcycle, and N86,100 in cash. They remain in military custody for further investigations.

This newspaper reported a joint team of Sahelian jihadists and their Nigerian allies attempted to attack the Wawa military cantonment in October 2022. The military, however, successfully defended it.

The Wawa military cantonment has a detention facility holding over 1,000 terrorists.

Yahaya stated that these arrests show the task force's efforts to break down criminal and terrorist support networks in the region. He emphasized that the task force is dedicated to limiting the freedom of action of criminal elements and keeping pressure on threats to peace and security in North-central Nigeria.