Troops Arrest Five Suspected Bandits’ Informants, Recover Phones, Cash In Niger

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield have arrested five suspected bandits and terrorists’ informants in separate operations in Niger State, recovering communication devices, cash and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities.

The arrests were disclosed in a statement signed by Captain Jamilu Muhammed Yahaya, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central) Operation Savannah Shield, on Sunday.

According to the statement, troops on routine fighting patrol along the Doro axis in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area, apprehended three suspected informantson June 6, 2026.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly members of a bandit group operating in Duru, located around the fringes of the Kainji Lake National Park.

Items recovered from the suspects included two Tecno keypad phones, an MP3 device containing recorded propaganda and inciting messages, as well as a cash sum of N113,400.

The military said the audio recordings contained claims of the abduction of an individual in Kaduna State and the collection of a ransom of N60 million.

“The suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network,” the statement said.In a related development, troops of 221 Battalion under Operation Savannah Shield arrested two other suspected informants during a routine patrol along the cantonment perimeter fence.

Investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly deployed to gather intelligence and conduct reconnaissance on the military facility.

The statement further revealed that a search of one of the suspects’ mobile phones uncovered a photograph of a beheaded individual dated May 2, 2026, suggesting possible links to terrorist activities.

Recovered items included an Android mobile phone, a Tecno keypad phone, a motorcycle and N86,100 in cash.

The suspects and exhibits remain in military custody pending furtherinvestigation.

Operation Savannah Shield said the arrests reflected the determination of security forces to dismantle criminal and terrorist support networks operating within the North-Central region.

The task force reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and denying them freedom of action across its area of operation.