Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected terrorists, including a man allegedly serving as a courier for a kidnapping network operating along the busy Okene–Auchi corridor in Kogi State.
The suspects were taken into custody at about 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, around the Okene axis of Okene Local Government Area, following intelligence on the movement of suspected members of a terrorist network.
Security sources said the operation was launched after troops received information indicating that suspected criminal elements were moving through the area.
One of the arrested men is alleged to have been involved in kidnapping operations along the Okene–Auchi road and neighbouring communities, a corridor that has previously come under security attention over criminal activities.
A search conducted during the operation reportedly led to the recovery of two mobile phones and their charging cords, a power bank, four litres of palm oil, portions of cow meat, clothing and cash amounting to ₦901,080.
The arrested suspects and the recovered items have been handed over to the military authorities for further investigation.
Security sources said the arrests could provide valuable leads into the wider structure of the suspected criminal network, particularly its logistics and support system.
Investigators are expected to examine the communication devices and other items recovered from the suspects as part of efforts to identify their associates, sources of supplies and possible links to kidnapping activities in the area.
The development comes as security forces intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at restricting the movement of suspected terrorists and criminal gangs along major routes in Kogi and neighbouring states.
Authorities are also expected to sustain surveillance around the Okene–Auchi corridor in a bid to prevent suspected criminals from using the route to move personnel, supplies or proceeds of criminal activities.
The latest arrests underscore the importance of intelligence gathering and community-based information in tracking criminal networks and disrupting their operations before they can carry out further attacks or abductions.
With the two suspects now in custody, security agencies are expected to widen the investigation to determine whether other members of the alleged network are operating within Okene and surrounding communities.
Source:@ZagazolaMakama
