Sunday, September 27, 2026 -Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 35 Battalion deployed at FOB Faskari have arrested three suspected terrorists while allegedly transporting N2.7 million ransom and mobile phones intended for onward delivery to a suspected terror kingpin in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The suspects were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on
September 24, 2026, while riding on a motorcycle within the Faskari area.
Military sources identified them as Habibu Hamza, 35; Inusa
Alhaji Iliya, 15; and Umar Alhaji Isihu, 16.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, preliminary
interrogation indicated that the suspects were allegedly travelling to hand
over the ransom money and mobile phones to individuals identified as Alhaji
Gadani, said to be a younger brother of the late Ado Aleru, and another
individual identified as Zailani Shu’ibu.
According to the preliminary account, Gadani is based in
Yankuzo village, while Shu’ibu was said to be located around Unguwan Tsamiya,
both in Faskari LGA.
The items allegedly being conveyed comprised N2.7 million in
ransom, one Android phone and two small Tecno mobile phones.
The military said the items were intended for onward
transmission to a suspected terror kingpin.
The three suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently
moved to the 17 Brigade Provost Group for further investigation and necessary
action.
The arrest highlights the increasingly important role of
tracking the financial and logistical networks supporting kidnapping and
terrorist activity in parts of Katsina.
Beyond the armed elements operating in forests and rural
communities, ransom payments, communications devices, couriers and
intermediaries constitute an important support chain that enables criminal
groups to sustain their operations.
In a separate operation, troops of CT2 conducted fighting
patrols around Unguwan Samanja, Alikere and Ruwan Godiya, including the
Danyaro–Unguwan Bako and Ruwan Godiya–Doma road axes, to deny terrorists and
kidnappers freedom of movement.
No contact was made with criminal elements during the
patrols, which ended without incident.
Troops of FOB Jibia also conducted fighting patrols along
the Jibia–Katsina highway and other parts of their area of responsibility,
followed by stop-and-search operations aimed at preventing terrorist and
criminal activities.
Similarly, troops from CT2 and CT4 conducted fighting
patrols along the Wanzamai–Faskari–Yankara–Unguwan Boka–Shemе–Funtua–Giwa axis,
with stop-and-search operations conducted during the movement.
The military said the operations were aimed at frustrating the activities
of terrorists and other criminal elements operating within the area.
Meanwhile, troops of 35 Battalion conducted perimeter patrols around
Natsinta Cantonment General Area, while other patrols continued across the
unit’s area of responsibility.
The military described the general security situation in the area as calm
but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained
satisfactory.
The latest arrest is significant because it provides an indication of how
ransom payments may move through intermediaries and couriers before reaching
criminal commanders.
However, the identities and alleged roles of the arrested persons remain
subject to further investigation, and the preliminary interrogation should not
be treated as a judicial determination of guilt.
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