Army arrests 2 suspected terrorists in Zamfara

By Faheem Lawal

Troops of the 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a locally fabricated Dane gun, ammunition, communication equipment and cash during a night fighting patrol in Kaura Namoda Local Government ,Zamfara State.

The operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday, August 25, 2026, by troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 2, operating from the Forward Operating Base, Kaura Namoda.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Yusuf Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement, said the suspects were arrested at about 1:50am.

The suspects were identified as Jabiru Hassan, 25, and Umaru Bello, 23, both reportedly from Ilela Village in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated Dane gun, two rifle magazines and 55 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from the suspects. Eighteen cartridges for the Dane gun were also recovered. Other items seized included one motorcycle, two Baofeng radio sets, one mobile phone, two MP3 players, one camouflage vest, two jungle hats, one handbag and N44,500 in cash.

Captain Mohammed said preliminary examination of the suspects’ mobile phone revealed photographs and video materials considered potentially incriminating and of intelligence value.

He added that the contents were being subjected to further verification and exploitation by the appropriate authorities to establish their relevance and possible links to terrorist activities in the area.

The acting Commander, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Colonel J. Umaru, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage and professionalism.

He charged the personnel to sustain the tempo of offensive operations and continue to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of movement within the Brigade’s area of responsibility.