Yobe state
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 10 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and recovered cash, fuel, motorcycles, and fertilizer during a targeted security operation in Bursari Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State.
According to an operational report released in Abuja on Tuesday, the suspects were apprehended at approximately 6:30 p.m. on October 18 in Bayamari village.
The joint operation was executed by troops of the 233 Battalion alongside the 27 Task Force Brigade and local hunters to disrupt active terrorist supply lines.
Items recovered during the raid included:
Vehicles & Cash: 4 motorcycles, ₦351,700, and 5,800 CFA francs.
Fuel Supplies: 12 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS / petrol) containing 25 liters each, two mini-drums containing 30 liters of PMS, and one 25-liter jerrycan of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO / diesel).
Equipment & Tech: 11 bags of NPK fertilizer and 9 mobile phones.
The suspects and seized materials remain in custody for further investigation.
In a separate development in Yobe, troops of the 27 Brigade Garrison Patrol received a surrendering member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on October 18.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the insurgent, a native of Maringa village in Biu LGA of Borno State, joined ISWAP as a foot soldier in 2024 through a WhatsApp recruitment group named “ZANGI.”
The surrendered fighter named a recruiter based at BUK Camp in the Timbuktu Triangle, describing him as the terrorist group’s “head of marketing.” He disclosed that the recruiter actively uses social media platforms specifically WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter) to recruit and initiate unsuspecting individuals.
The individual admitted to participating in terrorist operations across the Benisheikh, Maringa, and Mandaragirau communities in Borno State. He remains in military custody for ongoing interrogation.
Missing IDPs Rescued in Borno; Pipeline Suspects Napped in Rivers
Elsewhere in the North-East, troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, intercepted 18 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) around the Kashomri Forest in Bama LGA, Borno State.
Troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade at Forward Operating Base Kawuri encountered the group at about 11:20 p.m. on October 17. Investigations confirmed the individuals had wandered off from the Konduga IDP camp to gather baobab leaves and fruits but became lost while trying to return.
They have since been safely handed over to camp chairmen and local community leaders (Bulamas) to rejoin their families.
Meanwhile, in the Niger Delta region, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE disrupted a planned pipeline vandalism attempt in Rivers State, arresting four suspects.
Three male suspects were caught at around 7:20 a.m. at Go Round Farm in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA while allegedly preparing to vandalize an oil pipeline. Troops recovered a generator, two rolls of electrical wire, and various tools.
A female suspect was subsequently arrested at her residence in nearby Okwuzi for allegedly hiring the men to conduct the illegal operation. All four suspects remain in custody pending further legal action.
