Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of locally fabricated firearms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Yobe State, in a renewed crackdown on criminal activities in the North-East.
The operation, carried out on July 23, 2026, by troops of the 233 Battalion of Sector 2 OPHK in collaboration with the Yobe State Hunters Group, targeted suspected kidnappers at Jegalari Village in Fune Local Government Area following credible intelligence.
Military authorities disclosed that the coordinated raid led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of 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 been taken into military custody alongside the recovered exhibits and are undergoing further investigation to determine the extent of their involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and other criminal groups operating across the North-East.
The military also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information on suspicious persons, movements, and activities to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to ongoing efforts to enhance security and protect communities across the region.
The development underscores the military’s continued offensive against kidnapping and other violent crimes as security forces intensify operations to restore lasting peace in the North-East.
