Troops Foil Armed Herders’ Attack, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Benue

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, have foiled an attack by suspected armed herders at Azege Village, Tombo Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The troops responded to a distress call on August 10, 2026, reporting an attack on the Azege community and swiftly mobilised to the area.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that the troops made contact with the attackers upon arrival and engaged them in a gunfight.

The assailants were overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower and fled in disarray.

The troops subsequently pursued the fleeing attackers and discovered one of the suspected armed herders neutralised during the encounter.

Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, one magazine loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one Nokia mobile phone.

The recovered items have been secured, while the remains of the neutralised assailant were evacuated by the police.

Efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend other members of the group who fled the area.

The Joint Task Force has commended the troops for their tactical resilience and praised the police for their cooperation during the operation.

Residents have also been urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.

Troops Foil Armed Herders’ Attack, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Benue

Cameroonian Authorities Arrests 23-Year-Old With Large Cache of 7.62mm Ammunition Near Nigeria’s Gamboru

By Zagazola Makama

Cameroonian security authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in possession of a large quantity of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in containers while riding a motorcycle in the Far North Region of Cameroon, near the Gamboru axis in Borno.

The suspect, identified as Moussa Ngoudja, a Cameroonian national born in Sueram, Fotokol, was arrested at about 6:30 a.m. on August 9 following a security operation by members of the Vigilance Committee of Dougoumslio Slio Village.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that Ngoudja was intercepted while riding a Boxer motorcycle and was found in possession of three containers containing several rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The discovery has raised concerns over the movement of ammunition through communities around the Cameroon-Nigeria border, particularly given the proximity of the area to Gamboru and other locations affected by the activities of terrorist and criminal networks operating around the Lake Chad Basin.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly told his interrogators that he had collected the ammunition from Mada in Makary, Cameroon, and was transporting it to Mdego Village in Fotokol, also in Cameroon.

The suspect is currently being held at the Hilé Alifa Gendarmerie Brigade in Cameroon, where further investigation is being conducted to establish how he obtained the ammunition and whether other individuals or networks were involved in the movement.

Cameroonian Authorities Arrests 23-Year-Old With Large Cache of 7.62mm Ammunition Near Nigeria’s Gamboru

Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Neutralise Third in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of 73 Battalion, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested two suspected terrorists and neutralised another during an operation in Kayamla General Area of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The operation was conducted on August 5, 2026, as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, identified as 15-year-old Bamusa Usman and 33-year-old Mal Mohammed Mallum, were arrested by troops during a security operation in the area.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the two suspects claimed to be repentant terrorists undergoing rehabilitation at the Bulumkutu rehabilitation centre.

The claim was reportedly confirmed by an official of the centre.

The suspects further disclosed that they were travelling to a farm allegedly cultivated for them by a third suspect. The individual was subsequently neutralised while attempting to escape from the troops.

Two rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm ammunition were recovered from the neutralised suspect, alongside a bicycle, bottles of herbicide and other sundry items.

The two arrested suspects remain in custody for further investigation to determine their possible links or collaboration with terrorist elements.

The military said the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops maintained satisfactory morale and fighting efficiency.

Security forces have continued to intensify intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting terrorist networks and preventing their reorganisation across communities in Borno State.

Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Neutralise Third in Borno