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Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected high-profile terrorist operative linked to notorious terrorist leader Dogo Gide, alongside 60 suspected collaborators, in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted across several states.
The operations, carried out between August 12 and 13, 2026, also resulted in the recovery of weapons, military camouflage uniforms, motorcycles, improvised weapons and other items suspected to have been used in support of terrorist activities.
The arrests came as the military intensified operations against terrorist groups and armed criminal elements in the North-West and other parts of the country.
In Kaduna State, troops of the 4 Demonstration Battalion arrested a suspected operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) at Kadage Check Point.
The suspect was allegedly transporting seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp when he was intercepted by the troops.
According to the military, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect was a close associate and logistics supplier to Dogo Gide, a notorious terrorist commander operating in the North-West.
Troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three Automated Teller Machine cards and an identity card from the suspect.
The Army said the discovery was significant because the movement of military-style uniforms and other logistics could facilitate terrorist groups' ability to disguise their members, move within communities and sustain their operations.
In Adamawa State, troops of 226 Battalion, working with local hunters, raided a motor park in Gombi following intelligence indicating that suspected terrorist collaborators had infiltrated the area while disguising themselves as menial workers and hawkers.
The suspects are currently being held for further investigation as security authorities work to determine their identities, affiliations and possible links to terrorist networks.
Meanwhile, the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, has launched a fresh coordinated offensive, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep IV, against terrorists and other armed criminal groups operating across the region.
The operation combines ground and air assets and is designed to increase pressure on terrorist formations, disrupt their logistics and movements and prevent them from establishing operational footholds in civilian communities.
Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel, said the operation was aimed at bringing coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across the North-Western states.
“The operation brings coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across the North Western States,†Army said.
It added that the offensive was also intended to degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt their movements and logistics, and deny them opportunities to establish footholds within Nigerian communities.
As part of the operation, troops of Sector 2 conducted a clearance operation on August 12 around suspected terrorist enclaves in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The military said the operation exerted significant pressure on the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their positions and retreat into surrounding bushes.
“The operation mounted significant pressure on the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their positions and withdraw into surrounding bushes. Clearance operation is ongoing in the general area,†it said.
In Zamfara State, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out precision air strikes against terrorists who had converged on motorcycles in the Anka Local Government Area.
According to the military, the strikes neutralised scores of terrorists and forced survivors to flee into surrounding bushes.
Ground troops also recorded gains in the state, with troops of 1 Brigade recovering an RPG bomb during a patrol around Tunga-Jambako in Maradun Local Government Area.
The recovery followed an earlier terrorist ambush in the area, highlighting the continuing threat posed by improvised and military-grade explosives to troops and communities across the region.
In Benue State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested five suspected terrorists during operations in Chito, Jootar and Ikyior communities in Ukum Local Government Area.
The troops also destroyed suspected terrorist enclaves and recovered two motorcycles and two locally fabricated firearms.
The military said the operations were part of broader efforts to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks operating across the country's vulnerable communities and movement corridors.
In the North-East, troops also intercepted suspected family members and associates of terrorists amid continuing instability among terrorist factions.
Five women and seven children suspected to be family members of terrorists were intercepted in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Similarly, six male children were intercepted at Ajiri after reportedly escaping from Murofari Village following clashes between rival terrorist groups.
The interception of the women and children underscored the complex humanitarian and security challenges confronting military forces in communities affected by prolonged terrorist activities and clashes between rival factions.
Beyond the immediate arrests and weapons recoveries, the military said a major component of Operation Clean Sweep IV would be the containment and dismantling of the Lakurawa terrorist network across the theatre.
Lakurawa, which has emerged as a security concern in parts of the North-West and border areas, has increasingly attracted the attention of Nigerian security agencies because of the group's reported exploitation of difficult-to-monitor border corridors for movement and logistics.
The military said Operation Clean Sweep IV was specifically designed to prevent the infiltration and reinforcement of Lakurawa elements into Nigeria.
“The operation is designed to prevent the infiltration and reinforcement of Lakurawa elements into Nigeria while denying the group the opportunity to exploit border areas as corridors for movement, logistics and the establishment of enclaves,†it said.
The military's latest offensive reflects an effort to move beyond reactive responses to terrorist attacks by targeting the networks, logistics routes, hideouts and supply channels that sustain armed groups.
Security forces are also seeking to prevent terrorists from exploiting civilian populations, border communities and informal economic activities as cover for recruitment, movement and logistical support.
Danja said the launch of the operation demonstrated the Theatre Command's commitment to maintaining sustained pressure on evolving terrorist threats.
“The launch of Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV underscores the proactive and sustained posture of Operation Fansan Yamma in confronting evolving terrorist threats across the region,†Army said.
It added that the Theatre Command remained committed to protecting civilian communities, securing Nigeria's territorial integrity and preventing terrorist groups from regrouping, reinforcing their positions or establishing new operational bases.
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