Insecurity: Army captures suspected terrorists informants, recovers cash, devices in Niger

Troops from the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Savannah Shield, OPSS, have detained five individuals suspected of being bandits or terrorists informants during separate operations carried out in Niger State.

A statement issued by Captain Jamilu Muhammed Yahaya, the Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North Central) Operation Savannah Shield, indicated that these operations resulted in the seizure of communication devices, cash, and various items that connect the suspects to criminal activities.

According to the statement, the troops apprehended three suspected bandits or terrorists informants on 6 June 2026, while conducting a routine fighting patrol along the Doro axis in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The army reported that initial investigations disclosed that the suspects were affiliated with a bandit group operating in Duru, near the borders of Kainji Lake National Park. Recovered items from the suspects included two Tecno keypad phones, one MP3 device containing recorded propaganda and inciting messages regarding the abduction of an individual in Kaduna State, along with a ransom demand of Sixty Million Naira, as well as a cash amount of One Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Four Hundred Naira. The suspects and the recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation, while efforts continue to apprehend additional members of the criminal network.

In a similar operation, troops from the 221 Battalion under JTF-NC OPSS, while on a routine patrol along the perimeter fence of the cantonment, apprehended two suspected bandits or terrorists informants. Initial investigations revealed that these suspects had been assigned as reconnaissance elements to collect information regarding the cantonment.

The army said that further examination of one of the suspects’ mobile phones led to the discovery of a photograph showing a beheaded individual, dated 2 May 2026, indicating possible links to terrorist activities. Items recovered from the suspects included one Android mobile phone, one Tecno keypad phone, one motorcycle, and a cash sum of Eighty-Six Thousand, One Hundred Naira, adding that  the suspects and recovered exhibits remain in custody for further investigation.

It added that the successful arrests underscore the commitment of troops of Operation Savannah Shield to dismantling criminal and terrorist support networks across the Joint Operations Area. 

The Task Force said it remains resolute in its mandate to deny criminal elements freedom of action and sustain pressure on all threats to peace and security within the region.