Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Savannah Shield, have arrested five suspected bandit informants along the Doro axis in Wawa, Borgu LGA in Niger. In a statement on Sunday, Jamilu Yahaya, the acting spokesman for the operation in the North-Central, said communication devices, cash and other items were recovered from the suspects.

The operations led to the recovery of communication devices, cash, and other items linking the suspects to criminal activities. 

Mr Yahaya said troops conducting a routine fighting patrol along the Doro axis arrested three suspected bandit informants on June 6, 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of a bandit group operating in Duru, along the fringes of Kainji Lake National Park.

“Items recovered from the suspects included two Tecno keypad phones, one MP3 device containing recorded propaganda and inciting messages claiming the abduction of an individual in Kaduna state and the collection of a ransom of ₦60,000,000.00, as well as a cash sum of ₦113,400.00,” Mr Yahaya said.

Similarly, troops of the 221 Battalion under JTF-NC Operation Savannah Shield arrested two suspected bandit informants while on a routine patrol along the cantonment perimeter fence.

According to Mr Yahaya, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had been deployed as reconnaissance elements to gather information on the cantonment.

“Further examination of one suspect’s mobile phone revealed a photograph of a deceased individual dated May 2, 2026, indicating possible links to terrorist activities,” he said.

Mr Yahaya said items recovered from the suspects included one Android phone, one Tecno keypad phone, a motorcycle and a cash sum of ₦86,100.