Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 35 Battalion have arrested three suspected terrorists while allegedly transporting ₦2.7 million in ransom and mobile phones to a suspected terror kingpin in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State….
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 35 Battalion have arrested three suspected terrorists while allegedly transporting ₦2.7 million in ransom and mobile phones to a suspected terror kingpin in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The suspects were arrested at about 11:30 a.m. on September 24, 2026, while riding a motorcycle in the Faskari area.
The suspects were identified as Habibu Hamza, 35; Inusa Alhaji Iliya, 15; and Umar Alhaji Isihu, 16.
According to military sources, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were allegedly taking the ransom and phones to two individuals identified as Alhaji Gadani and Zailani Shu’ibu.
Gadani was said to be the younger brother of the late Ado Aleru and based in Yankuzo village, while Shu’ibu was reportedly located around Unguwan Tsamiya, both in Faskari LGA.
The recovered items included ₦2.7 million in cash, one Android phone and two small Tecno mobile phones.
The military said the items were allegedly being conveyed for onward delivery to a suspected terror kingpin.
The suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently transferred to the 17 Brigade Provost Group for further investigation.
In a separate operation, troops of CT2 conducted fighting patrols around Unguwan Samanja, Alikere and Ruwan Godiya, including the Danyaro–Unguwan Bako and Ruwan Godiya–Doma road axes.
The patrols recorded no contact with criminal elements and ended without incident.
Troops of FOB Jibia also conducted fighting patrols along the Jibia–Katsina highway and other areas within their operational jurisdiction, followed by stop-and-search operations.
Similarly, troops of CT2 and CT4 patrolled the Wanzamai–Faskari–Yankara–Unguwan Boka–Shemе–Funtua–Giwa axis and conducted stop-and-search operations.
The military said the operations were aimed at restricting the movement of terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the area.
Meanwhile, troops of 35 Battalion continued perimeter patrols around the Natsinta Cantonment General Area and other parts of their area of responsibility.
The military described the security situation as calm but unpredictable, while reporting satisfactory troop morale and operational effectiveness.
The arrest underscores the role of ransom couriers, communications devices and intermediaries in the support networks used by kidnapping and terrorist groups.
However, the identities and alleged roles of the suspects remain subject to further investigation.
