Troops of Operation Savannah Shield have intercepted a vehicle conveying eight 50kg bags of ammonium chloride, a substance which laboratory examination later confirmed as a key precursor used in the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, the vehicle was intercepted along the Eruku–Egbe road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on February 28.
He said troops of Operation Savannah Shield have expanded their operational footprint in Kwara and Niger states, conducting targeted intelligence-driven offensives against terrorist hideouts located in dense forest areas and border terrains.
Gen. Onoja explained that several terrorists were neutralised across the two states and substantial quantities of arms and related materials were recovered, further degrading the capacity of criminal elements to sustain attacks or threaten civilian populations.
He said: “A major operational success occurred on March 1, 2026, in Roguwa Forest, Patigi Local Government Area of Niger State. Acting on credible human intelligence from adjoining communities, troops engaged terrorists in intense firefights.
“Over 17 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while several others were observed fleeing the forest with severe injuries. Clearance and follow-on operations are ongoing to locate, engage and completely eliminate the remaining terrorist elements in the general area.”
Gen. Onoja further disclosed that in neighbouring Kogi State, 12 suspected terrorists were arrested at Atachi in Lokoja Local Government Area. The suspects reportedly claimed affiliation with Miyetti Allah but failed to produce any verifiable means of identification.
“These are some of the key achievements recorded by troops across theatres between February 28 and March 6, 2026,” Onoja said.
He added that when the driver of the intercepted vehicle was unable to produce authorisation documents for transporting the substance, it was taken for laboratory examination.
“The driver and the recovered substances are in custody pending further investigation and appropriate legal action,” he said.
Speaking on the 12 suspects arrested in Lokoja, the DMO said an examination of their mobile phones revealed contact details stored in formats consistent with known terrorist communication patterns, including several numbers saved under coded and suspicious aliases.
According to him, this strongly suggested links to criminal elements. Items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, a large quantity of 7.62mm ammunition, mobile phones and N645,000.
“All suspects and exhibits are in custody for further investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Onoja disclosed that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West apprehended two suspected terrorists receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Galadimawa, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on March 2, 2026, following credible intelligence.
He said the doctor who attended to the suspects escaped.
“Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals, along with several others, had sustained injuries during earlier encounters with troops and were seeking treatment under disguise.
“When compelled to lead troops to other hideouts, the suspects attempted to escape during an ambush but were neutralised alongside additional terrorist fighters,” he added.