Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Savannah Shield have arrested five suspected bandit and terrorist informants in separate operations across Niger State, recovering communication devices, cash and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.
The arrests were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Savannah Shield, Captain Jamilu Muhammed Yahaya.
According to the statement, three of the suspects were apprehended on June 6 during a routine fighting patrol along the Doro axis in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of the state.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspects were associated with a bandit group operating in Duru community along the fringes of the Kainji Lake National Park.
Items recovered from the suspects included two Tecno keypad phones, an MP3 device containing recorded propaganda and inciting messages, and a cash sum of N113,400.
Military authorities said the audio recordings contained claims of the abduction of an individual in Kaduna State and the collection of a N60 million ransom.
The suspects and the recovered items are currently in military custody, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend other members of the criminal network.
In a separate operation, troops of the 221 Battalion under Operation Savannah Shield arrested two additional suspects during a routine patrol along the perimeter fence of a military cantonment.
Investigations indicated that the suspects had allegedly been deployed to conduct reconnaissance and gather information on the military facility.
A search of one suspect’s mobile phone reportedly uncovered a photograph of a beheaded individual dated May 2, 2026, which security officials said suggested possible links to terrorist activities.
Recovered items included an Android phone, a Tecno keypad phone, a motorcycle and N86,100 in cash.
The military said both suspects remain in custody pending further investigation.
Operation Savannah Shield noted that the arrests highlight ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal and terrorist support networks operating within the North-Central region.
The task force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at denying criminal groups freedom of movement and strengthening security across its area of responsibility.
