Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected collaborators of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.

A counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a statement posted on X.

Makama said the suspects were arrested during a stop-and-search operation along the Mandaragirau-Sabon Gari Road in Borno State.

He further stated that the troops arrested the suspects identified as Adamu Abdullahi, 20, and Buba Ibrahim, 18, at about 10:30 am on Sunday, August 9.

According to him, the troops reportedly recovered N131,300 in cash from the suspects during the operation.

The security expert further pointed out that the two men reportedly claimed to be herders, but were arrested on suspicion of collaborating with terrorist elements and involvement in cattle rustling activities.

He added that after their arrest, they were taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.

“The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by troops of Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V to identify and disrupt individuals suspected of providing support to terrorist groups operating across Borno State.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have continued to pay particular attention to movements along major routes and rural corridors, where terrorist collaborators and criminal networks may exploit civilian activities to facilitate logistics, intelligence gathering or movement,” he said.

A farmer in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State has reportedly abandoned his farmland after suspected bandits demanded N500,000 before allowing him to access and harvest his crops.

The farmer, identified as a resident of Mbagena Council Ward in Kastina-Ala local government area, was allegedly targeted by local bandits who have reportedly been terrorising communities in the area and imposing ransom demands on residents.

His son, John James, a 300-level student of Benue State University (BSU), disclosed the development while speaking at a capacity-building workshop on Promoting Safety and Security Rights, Accountability and Access to Justice organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in Makurdi at the weekend.

According to James, his father, who works in the public sector while also engaging in farming, was attacked at his residence about two weeks ago by suspected bandits who demanded N500,000.

James said the attackers initially gave his father three days to produce the money but later extended the deadline to seven days after he explained that he needed to harvest his farm produce before he could raise the ransom.

He said his father had planned to sell some of his crops, including groundnut, beniseed and soyabean, to raise the money demanded by the attackers.

James said, “About two weeks ago, terrorists invaded his compound in the night where he was sleeping alongside my mother after work. They charged him to pay a ransom of N500,000. 

“My father pleaded with them because there was nothing at the moment. He had to plead with them for our lives because contacting the security would only worsen the situation.”

The student further narrated that the situation escalated when the attackers returned to the family home and abducted his mother, accusing his father of intentionally delaying the ransom payment.

According to him, the farmer was away attending a burial ceremony around Kastina-Ala town when the gunmen arrived at the residence and took his mother away.

James said his mother was eventually released after one of the abductors reportedly intervened and pleaded for her freedom after seeing her crying and in distress.

“She was freed but not without being tortured. As I talk to you now, my mother is suffering emotionally and physically from the pains she suffered in the course of the torture,” he said.

He disclosed that his father subsequently sought assistance from friends and relatives and was able to raise N200,000, which he handed over to the suspected bandits at about midnight on Thursday.

However, rather than allowing him unrestricted access to his farm, the attackers allegedly told him that he would have to complete the N500,000 ransom before harvesting the rest of his crops.

“When my father returned and handed them the money, they said it was not enough, that he had to complete it to N500,000 before he would be allowed to harvest anything from his farm,” he said.

James said the continued threats had left his father with no choice but to flee the community, while his farm produce remained unharvested.

“They are still threatening my father for the remaining amount, and he is on the run for fear of the unknown. He can’t go back to harvest everything now until he gets all the money,” James added.

He expressed concern that the suspected bandits allegedly operate openly within the community, with some reportedly known to local residents.

“These people are moving freely in our vicinity, and they are local bandits. In fact, some of them are known to the villagers because they are from the same community,” he said.

The BSU student explained that his father was not the only victim, saying other residents had also experienced repeated attacks, theft and intimidation.

He added that although the latest incident was the first time his father had been asked to pay money specifically to gain access to his farm, the farmer had previously suffered attacks in which his belongings and cash were taken.

“Other villagers suffer a similar fate regularly. However, it’s the first time my father has been charged a ransom for harvest. But he had been attacked several times where his money and goods were carted away,” he said.

James also expressed worry over the apparent reluctance of residents to report incidents to security agencies, alleging that some villagers who attempted to involve the police were subsequently attacked by the bandits.

“The villagers hardly report to the police because those who attempted were killed by the bandits,” he alleged.

Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as the Taskforce, has arrested three men suspected of belonging to a syndicate involved in the theft of vehicle components from parked cars.

The Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan.

According to Akerele, the suspects were apprehended at the Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, facility in Oshodi while allegedly attempting to remove the brain-box from a Toyota Hilux.

He said the vehicle belonged to the VIO and was being used for official duties when the suspects were caught.

Akerele also disclosed that a fourth suspect, identified only as Tony, was still at large. He alleged that Tony was responsible for receiving stolen vehicle components.

The chairman said the suspects had been placed under surveillance after the Taskforce received complaints from government agencies operating within the Safety Arena over the disappearance of vehicle parts.

“Following complaints involving the theft of batteries, brain boxes, spare tyres, jacks and other essential vehicle components, I deployed strategies to track down the suspects,” he said.

Akerele explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly focused on vehicles that remained unattended for extended periods in garages and residential compounds.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects targeted vehicles that remained stationary for several hours in garages and compounds,” he stated.

One of the suspects, according to the chairman, confessed during questioning that the group specialised in stealing brain-boxes and other vehicle components.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that the gang could remove two or three brain-boxes in a day when operations went as planned before selling the stolen items.

Akerele said investigations further revealed that brain-boxes allegedly stolen from vehicles in the area in September 2025 were sold to Tony for N70,000.

He added that the suspect subsequently identified the two other detainees after they were unable to substantiate their claim that they were engaged in scrap-metal trading.

The Taskforce chairman assured that the suspects would face prosecution after the completion of investigations.

He also warned individuals involved in the theft or purchase of stolen vehicle components to stop the practice or risk prosecution.

“The Taskforce will not relent in protecting vehicle owners from criminal elements specialising in the theft of vehicle parts,” Akerele said.

Akerele urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities through the Taskforce’s official feedback channels to enable authorities to respond quickly.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting residents and maintaining public safety, stressing that criminal activities would not be tolerated across Lagos.