The Nigerian military has arrested several suspected informants, collaborators, and spies accused of aiding terrorists across the country. According to a statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, the arrests were made between September 11 and 17, 2026, as troops intensified operations against terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities. The military did not disclose the exact number of suspects arrested.
In Borno State, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested a suspect at Kadauri in Kaga Local Government Area for allegedly providing terrorists with information on military convoy movements. Another suspect, a suspected terrorist, was arrested along the Dikwa-Ajiri Main Supply Route on September 15 for planning to plant an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) around a military outpost. Two suspected collaborators were also arrested in Monguno.
Further arrests were made in other parts of the country. In Kukawa, a suspect who had earlier fled to join terrorists was arrested after returning to visit his family. A suspected collaborator was also arrested in Dikwa for allegedly mobilising females to plant IEDs at military locations. The military said these arrests were a significant blow to terrorist activities in the region.
In the North West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers at Dogon Dawa in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The two suspects had earlier been identified as terrorist collaborators and placed on a counter-terrorism wanted list since June 2026. Additionally, two accomplices of a notorious terrorist kingpin were arrested in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The military also made arrests in Niger State, where four suspects were arrested at Pissa in Borgu Local Government Area. The suspects included two persons impersonating military and police personnel, who confessed to being sent by terrorist leaders in Sokoto and Katsina states to spy on troop positions and recover firearms. In Kogi State, four suspects earlier arrested were confirmed to be informants and logistics suppliers to terrorists.
The operations also recorded several rescue missions and other successes. In Borno State, troops rescued 14 abductees around Armuda and Gava in Gwoza Local Government Area, including the Chief Imam of Ngoshe town, Mallam Sadiq, who had been abducted in March. Troops also rescued a woman who escaped after five months in captivity and two minors who had reportedly spent six months in captivity.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their operations and urged Nigerians, traditional institutions, and community leaders to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies. The military reported the defusing of 12 IEDs in Niger and Kwara states during the period, highlighting the significant progress made in counter-terrorism efforts.
Key points
- The Nigerian military arrested several suspected informants and collaborators of terrorists across the country between September 11 and 17, 2026.
- The arrests were made in various states, including Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and Kogi.
- The military also recorded several rescue missions, including the rescue of 14 abductees in Borno State.
