Nigerian troops have arrested a suspected terrorist in Kaduna State and carried out ground and air operations against hideouts in Zamfara State linked to a wanted terrorist leader, the military says. The operations took place on Thursday, 5 November, the Joint Task Force North West said in a statement on Friday.

The arrest in Kaduna

Troops of Sector 1, working with operatives of the Department of State Services, arrested the suspect, identified as Auta Maikyala, during an intelligence-led operation in Kagarko town, in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The military said he was apprehended at a hospital where he had reportedly gone for treatment for a gunshot wound sustained in a clash with a rival faction. According to the task force, preliminary investigations link the suspect to attacks on communities, kidnapping and cattle rustling. He remains in custody for further investigation and prosecution.

Clearance operations in Zamfara

On the same day, soldiers carried out clearance operations at Aljummu Hausa, Aljummu Fulani and Tunga Magaji villages in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The task force said several terrorist hideouts were cleared, restricting the movement of criminal groups and improving security for residents in the affected communities.

Air strikes linked to Dogo Gide

The Nigerian Air Force also conducted air interdiction operations against suspected terrorist locations at Babban Doka and in the Kuyumbana Forest, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara. The military said the locations were believed to be associated with wanted terrorist kingpin Dogo Gide, after intelligence indicated fighters were gathering there to plan attacks. The task force disclosed no casualty figures and no independently verified assessment of the damage from the strikes.