Troops of Sector 2 of the Northeast Joint Task Force (JTF) operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have apprehended five individuals suspected of involvement in kidnapping and recovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles during an operation in Jegalari Village, Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.
According to the military, the recovered rifles were locally manufactured and are believed to have been used in carrying out criminal activities within the area.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Maiduguri. He said the suspects were arrested during a carefully planned intelligence-led operation conducted on July 23, 2026, with support from the Yobe State Hunters Group.
“The operation was carried out by troops of the 233 Battalion based at the Damaturu Military Cantonment following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected criminal elements,” Goni stated.
He explained that troops recovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, assorted ammunition, and four mobile phones believed to be connected to the suspects’ alleged criminal operations.
The suspects have since been taken into military custody along with the recovered items as investigations continue to determine the extent of their involvement in kidnapping and other related crimes within the local government area.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at denying terrorists and other criminal groups the freedom to operate across the North East.
The military also emphasized that timely and reliable information from members of the public remains vital to ongoing efforts to improve security and protect communities throughout the region.
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