The Military has arrested one foreign spy, claiming citizenship of Niger Republic, and 13 terrorists’ collaborators during intensive operations in the past week with most of the collaborators apprehended in the North East by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).m

The foreign spy, identified as Abubakar Mohammed Zen, was arrested at Mallam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.

Announcing the arrests during a news conference in Abuja, the Director Defence Media Operations (DMO) Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said 10 insurgents surrendered, while seven were neutralised, and 38 kidnapped victims rescued in the period.

“On 10 July 2026, four family members of terrorists surrendered to troops in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, having escaped from Kunde near the Mandara Mountains. Between 12 and 13 July 2026, a total of six family members of terrorist surrendered to troops deployed in Pulka, Gwoza and along Gwoza-Limankara road,” the DMO said.

He said on 12 July 2026, troops arrested a suspected ammunition courier, named Umar Shehu, along the Keffi-Abuja road in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and recovered 60 rounds of ammunition from him.

Onoja said that following the arrest of a suspected cult member and kidnapper, Vitalis Confidence, troops conducted a raid between 12 and 13 July 2026 at Ogbogoro community in Obiakpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovered one assault rifle and 45 rounds of ammunition, while troops raided selected residences at Atan and Uhuru villages in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, arrested two suspected members of the proscribed secessionist group and recovered a pump-action gun and cartridges.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction by ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) at Monguno in Borno in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, 2026.

The FGGC facility is currently being utilised by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.

The terrorists reportedly gained access to the facility with the assistance of suspected collaborators in an attempt to abduct students.

Media Information Officer, OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said that troops immediately engaged the terrorists with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, effectively stalling their advance with Sector 3 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) reinforcing the school.

Goni said the terrorists abandon their criminal mission and fled in confusion without achieving their objective after being confronted by superior combat capability and determined resistance of the security forces.

“During the encounter, parts of the school infrastructure sustained damage but the attempt was well contained by troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force personnel. Troops successfully rescued and evacuated all 46 students to Kinnasara Barracks, Monguno, where they received immediate medical assessment and appropriate care.

“Regrettably, some students were fatally struck by the sporadic gunfire from the terrorists during the firefight,” he said, adding that Operation Hadin Kai had extended deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. (The Guardian)

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