Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested a suspected terrorist in Kaduna State while conducting intensified operations against armed groups in Zamfara State.
The suspect, identified as Auta Maikyala, was arrested on November 5 during an intelligence-led operation in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Acting Media Information Officer of the task force, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1, working with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), apprehended Maikyala at a hospital in Kagarko, where he had reportedly gone for treatment of a gunshot wound sustained during an encounter with a rival faction.
The military said preliminary investigations linked the suspect to several attacks on communities, kidnapping and cattle rustling activities.
It added that Maikyala remained in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a related development, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA intensified ground clearance operations targeting suspected terrorist hideouts in Zamfara State on November 5.
The operations covered Aljummu Hausa, Aljummu Fulani and Tunga Magaji villages in Maradun Local Government Area.
According to the task force, several hideouts were cleared during the operations as part of efforts to restrict the activities of armed groups and improve security in the affected communities.
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The military also disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force’s Air Component conducted air interdiction missions against suspected terrorist locations in Babban Doka and Kuyumbana Forest in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The locations were reportedly believed to be associated with wanted terrorist figure Dogo Gide.
The statement said the air operations followed intelligence reports indicating that suspected terrorists were gathering in the locations to plan and coordinate criminal activities.
It added that ground troops were maintaining security dominance across the area to prevent the armed groups from regrouping.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations across its joint operations area to protect lives and property.
The task force also urged residents to provide timely and credible information about suspected criminal activities to support ongoing security efforts.