24 ISWAP family members surrender to troops in Borno

24 family members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The development was disclosed in an operational report made available to newsmen on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

According to the report, the group surrendered at about 4 p.m. on Thursday to troops of the 112 Task Force Battalion after fleeing the Gasuwa and Yaganari terrorist enclaves due to violent clashes between rival ISWAP factions.

The army said the surrendered individuals have been profiled and documented for further administrative action.

In a separate operation, troops of the 212 Battalion, supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), arrested two suspects during a raid along Al-Ansar University Road in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council following intelligence on suspected terrorist activities.

One of the suspects was said to have been found with a magazine loaded with 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

During interrogation, he allegedly identified another civilian as the source of the ammunition, leading to the arrest of the second suspect.

A mobile phone was recovered from the second suspect, while both men and the recovered items remain in military custody pending further investigation.

The report also stated that troops of the 25 Military Intelligence Regiment, working with the CJTF, arrested a suspected ISWAP logistics supplier and informant in Kekura, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The suspect was apprehended at his residence after intelligence linked him to the supply of food items and mobile phones to terrorist camps.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA foiled a kidnapping attempt at Jurawa Village in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State after responding to a distress call over the abduction of a female resident on Thursday night.

Terrorists attack Niger mosque, kidnap worshippers

Before the troops arrived, local residents reportedly overpowered and killed five suspected kidnappers, while other members of the gang fled the scene, abandoning the victim.

The army, however, cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands, assuring them of continued efforts to protect lives and property.

In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered an AK-47 rifle after arresting a woman allegedly attempting to flee with two magazines during a raid on Kisayi and Dogon Daji settlements in Bassa Local Government Area.

The operation, which followed intelligence on the kidnapping of a civilian, also led to the recovery of a locally fabricated firearm, three mobile phones and a military jungle hat from another residence.

In another operation, troops recovered 20 rustled cattle in Dila Village, Pankshin Local Government Area, after engaging suspected cattle rustlers who fled the area. The animals were later returned to their rightful owner.

In the South-South region, troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, arrested three suspected cultists in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State over their alleged involvement in a murder case.

The suspects were apprehended during a raid on Sunfit Hotel in Owhelogbo and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation.

Also in Rivers State, troops arrested two suspects transporting about 125 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) packed in sacks during a patrol in the Ebocha area of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

The suspects remain in custody, while the recovered petroleum products have been handled in accordance with the operational mandate of Operation Delta Safe.