Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kaduna State, destroyed three improvised explosive devices planted along a road in Zamfara State and recovered 73 rustled animals during separate operations on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
The operations were carried out in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and along the Magami-Dansadau road and villages in Zamfara State to disrupt terrorist activities, prevent attacks on road users and recover stolen livestock, the military said.
The Media Information Officer of the task force, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed the developments in a statement issued in Gusau on Friday.
Danja said troops of Sector 1 arrested the suspect, identified as Yusuf Adamu, at Kuyello in Birnin Gwari following credible intelligence.
He said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect allegedly collaborated with terrorists and recorded a video involving a female kidnap victim to facilitate ransom demands.
According to the military spokesman, the suspect alleged that the victim was killed after a ransom was paid and that he received N50,000 for his role.
The claims have not been independently verified.
Danja said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the alleged principal suspect, Yusuf Iliya Sani, and other persons suspected of involvement in the crime.
In a separate operation in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2, working with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, discovered and detonated three IEDs planted by terrorists along the Magami-Dansadau road.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, was aimed at removing the explosives and reducing the threat to motorists and other road users.
Danja said the clearance of the devices had restored safe movement along the route, adding that residents and motorists welcomed the development.
In another operation, troops responded to intelligence about terrorists moving rustled livestock between Kombo and Gurusu villages in Zamfara State.
He said the troops engaged the suspected terrorists, forcing them to flee and abandon the animals.
“The troops’ superior firepower forced the terrorists to flee, abandoning the rustled animals,” Danja said.
The recovered livestock comprised 14 camels, 19 cows and 40 sheep.
The animals were moved to a secure location by troops working with local vigilantes for further action, he added.
Danja reaffirmed the commitment of the military and other security agencies to tackling terrorist networks and protecting lives and property.
He urged residents to provide credible and timely information about suspicious persons and movements to security agencies to support ongoing operations.
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