The Nigerian Army has apprehended no fewer than 12 suspects believed to be connected with terrorist activities orchestrated by a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, identified as the Mahmuda group.
The insurgent faction had reportedly taken over the Kainji Lake National Park, turning it into a base of operations for terrorizing residents in nearby border communities.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Onubogu, confirmed the arrests during a visit to military camps within the affected regions. The arrests, he stated, were made during a series of coordinated raids in Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara State, and Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
General Onubogu revealed that two of the detained individuals have been positively identified as active members of the Mahmuda-led insurgent group, while the remaining suspects are currently under investigation for suspected complicity in terror activities.
The GOC emphasized that the operation—codenamed Operation Park Strike Four—was initiated to dismantle terrorist cells, flush out bandits, and secure the Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding areas. According to him, troops have combed over 90 kilometers of forest terrain, from Kemanji into the heart of the Kainji forest, where a strong operational base has now been established.
“Our troops have made significant progress. We have successfully dislodged the bandits and are restoring peace to the region,” General Onubogu said.
He further disclosed that the ongoing military campaign is in line with directives from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, to maintain a continuous military presence across the forest corridor and border communities to ensure lasting security for the affected populations.
Security operations are expected to continue in full force until the insurgent threat is completely neutralized and normalcy fully restored in the region.