Crime
Nigerien Forces Capture Two Suspected Bandits, Seize Heavy Weapons, Starlink in Bilma
Nigerien Forces Capture Two Suspected Bandits, Seize Heavy Weapons, Starlink in Bilma
By: Zagazola Makama
Nigerien security forces have captured two suspected armed bandits and seized a vehicle, heavy weapons, ammunition and communication equipment following a pursuit in the southwestern outskirts of Bilma.
According to a security report dated Oct. 19, 2026, the operation followed the continued pursuit of a vehicle occupied by suspected bandits by a departmental patrol.
The report said the chase extended into a sandy area dotted with dunes in the southwestern part of Bilma, where the suspects’ vehicle became stuck.
The occupants reportedly abandoned the vehicle, identified as a V6, and attempted to take positions on the surrounding dunes.
The patrol, upon sighting the abandoned vehicle and the suspects’ movements, engaged them in a firefight.
The report said the security forces, through coordinated action, successfully neutralised the threat and captured two suspects.
The vehicle, bearing Chadian registration number T10-14908, was recovered alongside a substantial arsenal of weapons and military equipment.
Items seized included one 12.7mm machine gun with its serial number erased, one RPG-7 launcher, one Kougar launcher, one AK-103 rifle with three empty magazines, 12 RPG-7 rounds, including two unserviceable rounds, and eight Kougar grenades.
The forces also recovered 60 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 64 rounds of FM80 ammunition, four sealed ammunition boxes, 12 RPG-7 charges, a spare FM80 barrel and a pair of RPG-7 binoculars, according to the report.
Other items recovered included a Starlink satellite communication device, three Motorola radios, an Android mobile phone, an analogue telephone, a power bank, a compressor and a pressure controller.
The military-related items seized also included two military uniforms, an AK-47 magazine pouch, a Chadian Army red beret and an adjudant’s rank insignia.
Additional items recovered were a wristwatch, a microphone and two travel bags.
The report identified the suspects as Ahmad Djiti, born around 1998 in Massaroufa, Chad, and Oumar Mahamad, born around 1991 in the same locality.
Djiti was described in the report as a Chadian national and serving Chadian military personnel, while Mahamad was identified as a Chadian rebel allegedly affiliated with the Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT).
The report stated that the two men were married and had children.
The relevant authorities have been notified, while investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ activities, the origin of the seized weapons and equipment, and their possible links to other armed groups operating in the region.
Nigerien Forces Capture Two Suspected Bandits, Seize Heavy Weapons, Starlink in Bilma
Troops secure release of kidnapped civilian in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have secured the release of a civilian abducted along Cubana Street in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 10:05 p.m. on Oct. 18, prompting troops from Sectors 1 and 3 to launch a search-and-rescue operation.
The sources said the troops subsequently searched Dutsen Kura, Rafin Bauna and Rafiki communities in an effort to locate the victim and track down the abductors, but made no contact with the fleeing criminals.
They added that the victim was later released following sustained pressure mounted on the abductors by the troops.
The rescued civilian was subsequently reunited with his family.
The sources said efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
They added that security operations would be sustained to prevent further incidents and improve safety in the area.
Troops secure release of kidnapped civilian in Plateau
Troops, NDLEA operatives arrest four suspects in Kebbi raids
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested four suspects during raids on suspected criminal flashpoints in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 5:11 p.m. on Oct. 18 by troops of 1 Battalion and NDLEA personnel at Dakin Kowa, Karaye and Gubba villages.
The sources said four suspects were apprehended during the raids, while some items were also recovered.
They added that the suspects and recovered items had been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary action.
The operation was part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle criminal activities and strengthen security in the state.
Troops, NDLEA operatives arrest four suspects in Kebbi raids
OPHK Air Strikes Kill 103 ISWAP Terrorists in Eight Days, Hit Abu Saleem’s Hideout
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian military says sustained intelligence-led air operations by Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) neutralised 103 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroyed several logistics facilities across the North-East between Oct. 10 and 18.
The operations involved Nigerian Army Aviation, the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Regiment (NARPARS) and the Air Component, which conducted seven precision strikes against terrorist concentrations, hideouts and logistics facilities in Borno and Adamawa states.
Security sources said the strikes targeted locations around Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area, Badu in Monguno LGA, Mairari, an area east of Badu, Duste Uku in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, and the alternate residence of Abu Saleem, ISWAP’s Wali of South Lake Chad, in the Arina Woje area of Monguno LGA.
A major operation was recorded on Oct. 18 when an Air Component strike targeted Abu Saleem’s alternate residence following intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Subsequent human intelligence reportedly confirmed the neutralisation of Jindullah, a prominent ISWAP fighter said to have served as Abu Saleem’s chief security guard, and Abul Kissa, a member of the group’s Shura Council.
Other prominent fighters were also reportedly killed in the strike.
The targeted structure was completely destroyed, alongside logistics assets, including nine boat engines and several motorcycles stored at the premises.
The destruction of the facility is expected to disrupt the group’s use of the location as a hideout and logistics point within the forested area.
Earlier, on Oct. 13, a Guardian air asset reportedly tracked a group of 16 terrorists from the Mairari axis to a gathering of more than 100 fighters accompanied by several motorcycles in an area approximately 23 kilometres east of Badu and 19 kilometres west of Monguno.
A subsequent precision strike on the gathering was assessed to have killed about 30 terrorists, although the extent of damage to the motorcycles remained unconfirmed.
Other strikes conducted during the eight-day period targeted suspected terrorist elements and facilities around Gudumbali, Badu, Mairari and Duste Uku.
According to the military account, the seven strikes collectively resulted in the neutralisation of 103 terrorists and the destruction of several logistics hubs and storage facilities.
The operations were aimed at disrupting ISWAP’s leadership structures, degrading its mobility and logistics capabilities, and denying the group safe havens across the theatre.
The sustained air campaign also highlights the growing coordination between Nigerian Army Aviation, NARPARS, the Air Component and ground forces in intelligence-led operations against terrorist networks in the North-East.
Zagazola Makama reports that the military has continued to apply pressure on ISWAP positions and logistics infrastructure as part of efforts to weaken the group’s operational capacity and restore security across the Lake Chad Basin.
OPHK Air Strikes Kill 103 ISWAP Terrorists in Eight Days, Hit Abu Saleem’s Hideout
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