Troops arrest notorious terrorist in Kaduna, strike Dogo Gide’s network in Zamfara

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have arrested a suspected notorious terrorist in Kaduna State.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, in a post on X on Friday, stated that security sources said the suspect, identified as Auta Maikyala, was arrested on Thursday during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of Sector 1 in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Kagarko town, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He explained, “The suspect was reportedly apprehended at a hospital where he had gone to seek medical attention for a gunshot wound sustained during an encounter with a rival faction.”

He explained that preliminary investigations indicated that Maikyala was allegedly involved in several criminal activities, including attacks on communities, kidnapping and cattle rustling.

In a related development, Makama disclosed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have intensified clearance operations targeting terrorist hideouts in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Makama stated that troops conducted offensive operations at Aljummu Hausa, Aljummu Fulani and Tunga Magaji villages, where several terrorist hideouts were cleared.

He disclosed that the operations were aimed at dismantling criminal enclaves, restricting the movement of armed groups and denying terrorists safe havens within the operational area.

Similarly, the security analyst pointed out that the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force conducted precision air interdiction operations against identified terrorist locations suspected to be associated with notorious terrorist kingpin, Dogo Gide, in Babban Doka and Kuyumbana Forest in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

He said the air operations followed credible intelligence indicating that terrorists were assembling in the locations to plan and coordinate attacks, while military sources said troops were maintaining dominance over the general area following the operations.

He explained that the latest developments underscore the sustained offensive posture of Operation FANSAN YAMMA against terrorist networks operating across the North-West, particularly efforts to dismantle their leadership structures, logistical networks and hideouts.

He added that the taskforce urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support ongoing operations and prevent criminal elements from threatening lives and property.