Operation Hadin Kai: Six Adamawa Kidnappers Arrested in Syndicate Bust

• Troops from Operation Hadin Kai arrested six suspected kidnappers in Adamawa State following intelligence-led operations.
• The arrested syndicate admitted involvement in multiple abductions for ransom and other violent crimes in the Song Local Government Area.
• A Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist surrendered to military forces in Borno State on September 13, 2026, bringing an AK-47 rifle and other items.
• The surrendered terrorist reportedly escaped an extremist enclave with the intent to abandon terrorism.
• Military authorities affirm their commitment to sustained offensive operations to counter criminal elements and ensure regional security.

All six individuals remain in military custody as further inquiries are conducted, with appropriate legal action anticipated.

Troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai have successfully apprehended six individuals suspected of belonging to a kidnapping syndicate active in Adamawa State. The arrests followed a targeted operation initiated by Sector 4 OPHK personnel, working in close coordination with local hunters, in response to actionable human intelligence regarding the group's activities. The syndicate was reportedly operating in the vicinity of Soktu Hill, located within the Song Local Government Area.

Initial efforts involved a swift raid on an identified hideout, which led to the capture of three suspects and the recovery of a Dane gun. Subsequent investigative work and covert operations expanded the scope of the arrests, bringing the total number of apprehended individuals to six. These suspects are believed to have been involved in criminal activities across the broader Soktu, Dumne, and Maigero areas of Song LGA, according to preliminary findings.

Further investigations have revealed that the syndicate members have admitted their involvement in numerous abductions for ransom, alongside other violent crimes perpetrated within the region. All six individuals remain in military custody as further inquiries are conducted, with appropriate legal action anticipated. This development was confirmed by Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, in a statement released on Monday.

In a separate but related development, military forces also reported the surrender of a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist in Borno State. On September 13, 2026, troops from the 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2 OPHK, alongside Forest Guards, received the individual at Borgozo in Benisheikh, located within the Kaga Local Government Area. This surrender marks another instance of individuals abandoning extremist groups.

Preliminary investigations into the surrendered terrorist's background indicate that he had fled a terrorist enclave with the explicit intention of disengaging from terrorism. Upon his surrender, military personnel recovered a significant cache of items, including one AK-47 rifle, fourteen rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, one improvised explosive device, a magazine pouch, and a bicycle. The individual is currently undergoing thorough investigation and profiling in military custody, in line with established procedures for such cases.

Captain Mohammed Goni emphasized that these recent successes, encompassing both the Operation Hadin Kai Adamawa kidnapper arrests and the Borno terrorist surrender, highlight the continuous pressure exerted by Operation Hadin Kai troops against various terrorist and criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area. The military's ongoing efforts are designed to disrupt and dismantle these networks, thereby enhancing regional security.

The Theatre Command reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining offensive operations. This strategic approach aims to deny terrorists and other criminal actors the freedom to operate, ultimately fostering a safer environment for law-abiding citizens and creating conditions conducive to socioeconomic growth and stability within the affected regions.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH.