Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested a 21-year-old suspected terrorist collaborator during a covert intelligence-led operation in Magumeri town, Borno State.

A security expert, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a statement posted on X.

Zagazola said the suspect, identified as Abur Mallam Shuaibu, was apprehended at about 3:00 p.m. on July 30 by troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF.

According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that the suspect had infiltrated Magumeri town to attend a 40-day prayer ceremony held for his late father.

He added that during preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to being involved in cattle rustling, attacks on motorists along the Magumeri–Gubio road, and the imposition of illegal levies on communities within the area.

“The suspect also admitted that the activities of his group forced many residents to flee their homes for fear of being killed if they failed to pay the imposed levies.

“He would be handed over to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre, JIFC, for further investigation and necessary action,” Zagazola said.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have carried out a clearance operation on suspected terrorist hideouts in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State as part of ongoing efforts to prevent insurgents from regrouping in the North-East.

The operation was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama. 

According to the report, troops of B Company, Kanama, 159 Task Force Battalion, supported by personnel of the National Forest Guards, launched the operation at about 2:10pm on August 1 after receiving intelligence about the suspected movement and convergence of terrorists within the area.

The report said the troops, travelling in one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, MRAP, vehicle and three gun trucks, advanced to Garin Gada and Bulagra villages to clear the locations and deny insurgents freedom of movement.

Although the troops did not encounter any suspected terrorists during the operation, they conducted extensive searches of the identified locations to disrupt possible terrorist activities and prevent the establishment of new hideouts.

According to Makama, residents of both communities told the troops that there were no active Boko Haram camps within the immediate area.

However, the locals disclosed that suspected insurgents occasionally passed through the villages for administrative and logistical activities.

“The communities confirmed there were no Boko Haram camps in the immediate vicinity but noted that terrorist elements occasionally transit through the area for administrative and logistical purposes,” Makama said.

After completing the clearance exercise, the troops safely returned to their base at about 4:37pm, according to the report.

Military sources said the raid was part of Operation HADIN KAI’s ongoing offensive to prevent terrorists from regrouping across the North-East.

They added that while the overall security situation across the theatre remains calm, troops have continued to maintain a high level of operational readiness to respond to emerging threats.

The Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force, at the weekend, intercepted four commercial buses conveying suspected illegal miners from Zamfara State to Gangtu village in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation, led by Superintendent of Police Jamu Emmanuel Lyon, followed credible intelligence indicating that a group of suspected illegal miners was travelling into Taraba State to engage in unauthorised mining activities.

“Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the task force intercepted the convoy while it was en route to the alleged illegal mining site. The suspects were apprehended without resistance,” the task force said.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspects are believed to have travelled from Zamfara State with the intention of carrying out illegal mining operations in Taraba, contrary to Nigeria’s mining laws and regulations.

Confirming the development, Jamu Emmanuel Lyon said the suspects are currently in custody and will be handed over to the Taraba State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to tackling illegal mining across the state, noting that efforts to dismantle illegal mining networks would continue.

He also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in illegal mining activities.