The Nigerian Army has apprehended 12 individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities perpetrated by a splinter group of Boko Haram known as Mahmuda. These operations primarily occurred within the Kainji Lake National Park, which extends across parts of Kwara and Niger states. Major General Obinna Onubogu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, announced these arrests during a visit to military encampments in the Kaiama and Baruten local government areas of Kwara State. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate troop welfare and gather operational updates.

According to Major General Onubogu, the arrests were made during a sequence of raids conducted throughout the national park and its adjacent border communities. It was confirmed that two of the detainees are actual members of the armed group, while the remaining ten are believed to be accomplices. The counter-insurgency initiative, designated ‘Park Strike Four,’ aims to eradicate terrorists and criminal elements from the Kainji Lake National Park. Troops have thoroughly searched over 90 kilometers of forested terrain, starting from Kemanji and penetrating deep into the park, where they have now established a robust operational base.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, had previously issued a one-month directive to clear the park of terrorists and bandits. In response, the 2 Division has intensified its operations across the affected border communities.

In a separate incident, bandits killed a retired secondary school teacher and abducted his wife along with two other women in a late-night attack on the staff quarters of Government Secondary School, Tsafe, in Zamfara State. The teacher, identified as Mallam Kabiru, was shot dead after resisting abduction. The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers stormed the premises on Saturday night and kidnapped the victims.

Additionally, troops of the 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) arrested notorious gunrunners and suspected kidnappers identified as Saeedu Haruna and Yahaya Adamu in Plateau State. The troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, and one Itel mobile phone from the suspects during the operation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects and their syndicates were responsible for most of the criminal activities along Gashish and Kurra Falls and in Gwantu and Fadan Karshe in Sanga Local Council of Kaduna State.