Troops Arrest Three Suspected Terrorist Couriers with ₦2.7m Ransom in Katsina
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 35 Battalion, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Faskari, have arrested three suspected terrorists allegedly conveying ₦2.7 million in ransom money and mobile phones for onward delivery to a suspected terrorist kingpin in Katsina State.
The suspects were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on September 24, 2026, while travelling on a motorcycle within Faskari Local Government Area.
Military sources identified the suspects as Habibu Hamza, 35; Inusa Alhaji Iliya, 15; and Umar Alhaji Isihu, 16.
Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that the suspects were travelling to deliver the ransom money and mobile phones to two individuals identified as Alhaji Gadani, said to be a younger brother of the late Ado Aleru, and Zailani Shu’ibu.
Gadani was reportedly based in Yankuzo village, while Shu’ibu was said to be around Unguwan Tsamiya, both in Faskari LGA.
The recovered items included ₦2.7 million in suspected ransom money, one Android phone and two small Tecno mobile phones. The military said the items were intended for onward transmission to a suspected terrorist kingpin.
The suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently transferred to the 17 Brigade Provost Group for further investigation and necessary action.
In separate operations, 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 restrict the movement of terrorists and kidnappers. No contact was made with criminal elements, and the patrols 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 criminal activities.
Similarly, troops of CT2 and CT4 patrolled the Wanzamai–Faskari–Yankara–Unguwan Boka–Sheme–Funtua–Giwa axis, conducting stop-and-search operations to frustrate the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements.
Meanwhile, troops of 35 Battalion continued perimeter patrols around the Natsinta Cantonment general area, alongside other security operations within their area of responsibility.
The military described the general security situation in the area as calm but unpredictable, while noting that troops’ morale and operational efficiency remained satisfactory.
The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to disrupt the financial and logistical networks that sustain kidnapping and terrorist activities. However, the identities and alleged roles of the suspects remain subject to further investigation, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Terrorist Couriers with ₦2.7m Ransom in Katsina