The wife of a notorious wanted terrorists ring leader, Aisha Auta, is among 20 terrorists arrested by troops during sustained and extensive operation across theatres between February 13 and 19, 2026.
Aisha was arrested by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State on February 19, 2026.
The Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this during his weekly briefing on troop operations nationwide.
Onoja said that the capture of Auta, Aisha’s husband, is expected to yield valuable intelligence on terrorist network structures and financing.
“In a notable encounter on 19 February 2026, following information about terrorist activities at Kumeh village in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State, troops of Sector 1 Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed at Abaji/Katsina Ala mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists.
“During the fierce exchange, troops neutralised terrorists while others escaped with gunshot injuries. Troops subsequently exploited the general area and recovered caches of arms and ammunition of various calibres.
“Overall, these operations yielded significant outcomes, including the arrest of 11 terrorists, among them Aisha Auta, the wife of a notorious wanted terrorists ring leader whose capture is expected to yield valuable intelligence on network structures and financing,” Onoja said.
The DMO said that 39 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period.
He added that on 16 February 2026, troops on routine offensive patrol along the Maiduguri-Magumeri axis intercepted five suspected individuals in possession of ₦37 million, which the suspects claimed was meant for distribution to vulnerable communities on behalf of an International NGO, Action Against Hunger.
“The individuals and the seized funds have been taken into custody for further verification and investigation to ascertain the legitimacy of the transaction and rule out any potential links to terrorist financing or aid diversion,” Onoja said.
He said that on 19 February 2026, following a tip-off on the movement of terrorist logistics in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, troops arrested one Mallam Dauda Usman Gubula at Madagali Motor Park.
He said that items recovered from him included two drones and 20 solar power banks, and that the suspect was taken into custody for further action.
Onoja said troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) continue to maintain pressure on Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) elements across the region throughout the week, effectively denying terrorists freedom of manoeuvre and disrupting their operational cycles.
Similarly, he said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the Northwest focused on disrupting terrorist networks responsible for mass abductions, cattle rustling, and attacks on rural communities across multiple states in the zone.
Onoja noted that the donation of 25 highly sophisticated Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) by the Zamfara State Government on 18 February 2026 would enhance operations in the areas covered by Operation Fansan Yamma.
NAN
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