Monday, July 20, 2026

Troops nab suspected terrorists, rescue six kidnap victims in North-East

According to the statement, the suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.

• June 14, 2026
Nigerian troops
Nigerian troops

Troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai said they arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and rescued six abducted victims across the North-East.

The Nigerian Army, in a post on X on Saturday, said a well-coordinated offensive and security operation was conducted between June 11 and 12, 2026, against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

“The operations resulted in the rescue of abducted civilians, arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, recovery of arms and operational stores, as well as the decisive defeat of multiple terrorist attempts to undermine security within the theatre,” the statement reads.

The Army noted that troops of Sector 2, while conducting fighting and perimeter-clearance patrols around the Amuda general area on June 11, 2026, rescued three abducted children identified as Ali Usman, 15; Umar Ibrahim Abubakar, 15; and Fatima Abubakar, 12.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims escaped from terrorist enclaves at SAHA and CHINENE in the Mandara Mountains following sustained military offensives that have continued to degrade and dislocate insurgent strongholds across the region. After profiling and documentation, the children were safely reunited with community leaders in Ngoshe,” it added.

Similarly, on June 12, 2026, troops of Sector 3 swiftly responded to a terrorist kidnapping attempt along the Damasak–Gubio Main Supply Route and successfully rescued six civilians abandoned by fleeing terrorists following aggressive troop pursuit around the Kareto area.

The Army added that troops of the 68 Battalion in Mallam Fatori thwarted an attempted terrorist reconnaissance mission after ambushing suspected ISWAP scouts and recovering an AK-47 rifle with a loaded magazine containing 31 rounds of ammunition.

“Concurrently, troops of Sector 3 operating at Checkpoint 61 intercepted eleven suspects travelling in two civilian vehicles under suspicious circumstances,” the statement reads.

“Preliminary investigations linked the individuals to attempts at recovering vehicles belonging to known terrorist logistics collaborators previously sighted supporting insurgent activities around Ali Sheriffti.”

In a related operation, troops of Sector 2 at Mandaragirau arrested a suspected terrorist logistics courier, Malahi Liman Muhammad, along the Mandaragirau–Sabon Gari axis.

The Army said large quantities of herbicides, blankets, salt, food supplies, mobile phones, and other materials believed to be intended for terrorist sustenance and operational support were recovered. It added that the suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang

States

Mutfwang hails Tinubu for approving dualisation of Plateau-Taraba road

Mr Mutfwang particularly thanked Mr Yilwatda for his strategic engagement and commitment to the development of Plateau State at all times.

Peter Obi

NationWide

Obi thanks God @65, donates ₦10 million to rural hospital in Anambra community

Mr Obi expressed gratitude to God and renewed commitment to the service of humanity.

Triumphant Spain

Heading 3

Spain lift 2026 World Cup after beating Messi’s Argentina

The defeat meant that Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates failed to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles in 64 years.

Map of Kano State

States

Fire service rescues man trapped under collapsed Kano wall

The PRO said that the victim was rescued alive and conveyed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano State.

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu

Heading 1

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu for 2027 Ogun governorship race

Mr Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.