Troops arrest suspected kidnappers, recover arms in Yobe
Abdullateef Fowewe
Troops of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in collaboration with the Yobe State Hunters Group, arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered arms during an intelligence-led raid at Jegalari Village in Fune Local Government Area on 23 July 2026.
The operation, according to a statement signed on Friday by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, was carried out by soldiers of the 233 Battalion based at Damaturu Military Cantonment, followed “credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected criminal elements”.
Officers recovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, assorted ammunition, and four mobile phones believed to be linked to the suspects’ operations.
The five suspects are currently in military custody along with the recovered exhibits for further investigation to determine their involvement in kidnapping and other related crimes.
Operation HADIN KAI said it remains “resolute in its commitment to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North East through sustained intelligence-driven operations.”
The military urged the public to remain vigilant and to report “any suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest security agency,” stressing that timely and credible information from citizens is critical to safeguarding communities.
