Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected terrorist commander, Kachalla Halilu, during a targeted operation at the Shinkafi Weekly Market in Zamfara State.

The suspect was apprehended by personnel of the 8 Division Garrison after intelligence reports indicated his presence at the popular market, according to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.

Sources said the troops acted swiftly on the information, moving into the area and arresting the suspect without incident.

Items recovered from Halilu at the time of his arrest included a motorcycle, a mobile phone, a cap and livestock drugs.

“The troops responded promptly to the intelligence report and successfully arrested the suspect during the operation,” sources familiar with the operation said.

According to Zagazola Makama, the suspect has been handed over to military intelligence operatives for further interrogation and investigation, alongside the recovered items.

The arrest forms part of ongoing military offensives targeting terrorist and bandit networks operating across Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West region.

Security sources said investigators are working to establish the full extent of Halilu’s alleged involvement in terrorist activities and to uncover possible links to other criminal elements operating in the area.

Suspects seen in viral video dressed in Militariy camouflage displaying AK-47 rifles arrested

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspects featured in a viral social media video showing individuals dressed in military camouflage and displaying AK-47 rifles.

The arrests followed an investigation launched after footage of suspected bandits carrying weapons and walkie-talkies circulated widely online.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said he ordered an immediate forensic examination of the video and directed security operatives to identify and apprehend those involved.

According to him, digital forensic analysis and intelligence gathering led operatives of the FCT Police Command’s VCRU Sector 5 and personnel from the Zuba Division to a hideout in Runji Village, Zuba, where the suspects were apprehended on May 25.

“I directed operatives of the FCT Police VCRU Sector 5 and personnel from Zuba Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ogu Caleb Ikechukwu, on a coordinated operation at Runji Village, Zuba, on the 25th of May, 2026, where three suspects featured in the videos were arrested at their hideout,” Sanusi said.

The suspects were identified as Umar Babangida, Adamu Yeti and Yahaya Idris, all residents of Rijana in Kaduna State.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects had previously been in possession of AK-47 rifles allegedly supplied by a suspected gang leader known as “Esco,” who remains at large.

The commissioner said further searches uncovered additional incriminating materials on the suspects’ mobile phones.

“Further investigations also led to the recovery of additional videos and photographs from the suspects’ mobile phones showing them dressed in military camouflage while brandishing AK-47 rifles and carrying walkie-talkies,” he said.

Items recovered during the operation include an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, eight mobile phones, two jackknives, power banks, and several photographs and video clips allegedly showing the suspects posing with firearms while wearing military-style uniforms.

Terrorism: Police operatives arrest wanted amunition supplier

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says it has arrested a wanted alleged notorious supplier of logistics and ammunition to bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Ahmed Sanusi said this during a news conference on Friday in Abuja.
Sanusi said the suspect who had been on the wanted list of the command since 2023, was arrested following a strategic intelligence-led operations by operatives of the command.
According to him, the suspect was tracked and arrested on Tuesday while on transit along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
He said that 81 rounds of 7.62mm live AK-47 amunition and 100 rounds of 7.62mm belted amunition for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) were revovered from the suspect during the operation.
The CP also said that the arrest of the suspect who had also been on the wanted list of other security agencies in several North Central states also led to the arrest of his sister.
“The arrested sister of the suspect, happened to be the wife of another wanted bandit, terrorising, Kaduna and Niger States and currently at large.
“She has also been involved in the supply of ammunition to her brother for onward sale to terrorists and bandits,” the FCT commissioner of police said.
He added that preliminary investigations had linked the suspects to a network of logistics and ammunition suppliers supporting bandit and terrorist groups operating in Kaduna, Niger, and border communities in the FCT.
Sanusi also disclosed that the operatives of the command had in similar vein arrested two suspects over “one chance” robbery.
He said the arrest of the suspects was in line with the sustained efforts of the command to rid the FCT of violent crimes like “one chance” robbery.
Sanusi said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the command, attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) while on routine anti-crime patrol along Giri-Lugbe road on May 15.
He said the operatives had observed a young lady crying for help.
“Upon inquiry, she informed the operatives that she had just been robbed by suspected ‘one chance’ operators who dispossessed her of her valuables before abandoning her.
“Responding swiftly, the team immediately launched a hot chase and intercepted a blue Volkswagen golf vehicle with Reg. No SKK 567 AG conveying the two suspects.
“During a search of their vehicle, one laptop, one iphone, one laptop charger, two knives and scissors were recovered,” he said.
The CP pledged the committment of the command to proactive policing and ensuring the safety and security of FCT residents.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest police station or to the the command through its emergency lines.(NAN)