Troops Secure Boko Haram Fighter Surrender and Arrest Six Kidnappers in Borno, Adamawa
Abuja, Nigeria—September 14, 2026—Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have achieved another set of operational successes with the voluntary surrender of a Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) fighter in Borno State and the arrest of six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate in Adamawa State.
The official X handle of the Presidency, @NGRPresident, announced the developments on Monday, highlighting sustained pressure against terrorists and criminal networks in the region.
Terrorist Surrenders in Borno with Weapons
According to a statement by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, working with Forest Guards, received the repentant fighter at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State on September 13.
Preliminary investigations indicated the individual escaped from a terrorist enclave with the intention of abandoning the group.
Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), one magazine pouch, and a bicycle.
The surrendered fighter remains in military custody for further investigation and profiling in line with established procedures.
Six Suspected Kidnappers Arrested in Adamawa
In a separate operation the same period, troops of Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai, acting on credible human intelligence and working with local hunters, raided a suspected kidnapping syndicate hideout around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The raid led to the initial arrest of three suspects and the recovery of one Dane gun. Follow-up investigations and covert operations resulted in the arrest of three more members of the group, bringing the total to six.
Preliminary findings showed the syndicate had been active in the Soktu, Dumne, and Maigero areas, with the suspects reportedly admitting involvement in multiple abductions for ransom and other violent crimes.
The arrested individuals are currently in custody pending further investigation and legal action.
Broader Context of Security Operations
These successes form part of ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic efforts by the Nigerian military in the North East. The Presidency’s statement noted that the operations reflect continuous security pressure aimed at protecting communities and disrupting terrorist and criminal networks.
Security analysts and local observers have pointed to the combination of intelligence-driven raids, collaboration with local hunters and Forest Guards, and the open door for voluntary surrender as key elements of the current approach under the Tinubu administration’s broader security framework.
Residents in the affected communities have expressed cautious optimism, hoping the arrests and surrender will contribute to reduced incidents of kidnapping and terrorist activity in the volatile region.
The military has reiterated its commitment to sustained operations while urging remaining fighters and criminals to embrace the path of surrender rather than face the full force of the law.
Further updates are expected as investigations into the arrested suspects and the profiling of the surrendered fighter continue.
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