.ISWAP senior finance chief surrenders as Army foils terrorist attack, rescues 48 in Zamfara
A judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, has been abducted by gunmen suspected to be bandits in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.
The judge was reportedly seized from his residence along Zogirma Road in the early hours of Sunday, shortly after returning from a trip to Sokoto State.
Sources familiar with the incident said that the armed men invaded the residence around midnight and whisked the judge away to an undisclosed location.
One of the sources said the attackers arrived shortly after Bunza returned home from Sokoto.
“He had just returned from Sokoto when the gunmen stormed his residence and took him away,” the source said.
According to the source, no other person in the house was injured during the attack, although the gunmen caused panic before leaving the area with the judge.
“Immediately the incident occurred, we reported to the appropriate authorities, including the leadership of the High Court,” he added.
The spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the abduction, saying security operatives had launched an operation to rescue the judge.
“I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight,” Usman said.
He explained that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammad Hadejia, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence personnel after receiving information about the incident.
According to the police spokesman, security teams have extended the search to suspected hideouts and forest areas in an effort to locate the abducted judge.
“As we speak, our personnel are combing identified locations, including forest areas, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unharmed,” the PPRO said.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to address the media, also confirmed the incident.
The official described the abduction as troubling for the judiciary, particularly as the judge was taken from his residence.
“I am not authorized to speak formally, but this is a painful moment for us. To hear that one of our judge was abducted at his residence is very disturbing,” he said.
He added that the leadership of the state High Court had opened discussions with heads of security agencies over efforts to secure Bunza’s release.
According to him, meetings have already been held with relevant security authorities to coordinate measures aimed at locating and rescuing the judge.
However, an Islamic State of West African Province terrorist chief financial operative and two male children have surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, in Borno State.
The Nigerian Army confirmed the development in a late-night statement on Saturday, noting that the success serves as another major operational breakthrough in the fight against insurgency.
The acting Military Information Officer Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, in the statement said the terrorist surrendered at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.
The statement reads, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East.”
He said the development comes amid a growing wave of terrorist surrenders, with approximately 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendering to troops in recent days
According to Goni, his decision to lay down his arms follows the recent series of coordinated and decisive land and air offensives conducted by Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist enclaves.
“The terrorist surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” he said.
“Preliminary profiling indicates that the terrorist served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s financial activities and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children,” he stated.
The Army spokesperson said Items recovered from the terrorist include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and the sum of ₦40,000.
“The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre,” he stressed.
He further noted that the surrender of such a key finance operative represents another significant setback for ISWAP, reflecting the growing erosion of the group’s command structure, operational capability, and sustainment network under the relentless pressure of Operation HADIN KAI.
“Coupled with the increasing number of recent surrenders, this development confirms deepening disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps,” he emphasised.
Goni assured all that Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its mission to restore enduring peace, security, and stability across the North East.
“The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late,” he added.
Goni urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will enhance ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 48 kidnapped victims following a gun battle with terrorists who attacked Magami village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The military disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.
According to the statement, the rescue operation was launched in the early hours of Saturday after troops received a distress call that dozens of heavily armed terrorists had invaded the community.
The statement partly read, “Troops of Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (JTF NW OPFY), have rescued 48 kidnapped victims following a swift response to a terrorist attack on Magami village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in the early hours of 26 July 2026.”
The military said the terrorists, who were riding about 40 motorcycles, stormed the village and rounded up several residents with the intention of taking them into the bush.
It added, “The operation was launched after troops of Sector 2 received a distress call indicating that a large group of terrorists, riding about 40 motorcycles, had invaded the community. The terrorists rounded up numerous residents with the intention of taking them into the bush, while another group remained at the outskirts of the village with the motorcycles.”
According to the statement, troops immediately engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle on arrival at the scene, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives.
“On arrival at the scene, the troops immediately engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the surrounding bush. The prompt intervention led to the successful rescue of all 48 abducted civilians,” the statement added.
The Army, however, disclosed that one civilian was killed during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the General Hospital, Kaura Namoda, for treatment.
“Regrettably, one civilian lost his life during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to the General Hospital, Kaura Namoda, where they are currently receiving medical treatment,” it stated.
The statement further noted that troops conducted aggressive patrols across the area after the rescue operation to prevent further attacks.
Commending the troops, the Theatre Command praised their professionalism and reassured residents of its commitment to restoring security across the North-West.
“The Theatre Command commends the gallantry and professionalism of the troops for this successful operation and reassures residents of the North West of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
“The public is enjoined to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to sustain the momentum in ridding the North West of terrorist elements,” the statement said.
