Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have arrested a suspected notorious terrorist in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while intensifying operations against terrorist hideouts in Zamfara State.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Capt. Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Friday.

Sinivie said the suspect, identified as Auta Maikyala, was arrested on November 5 during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of Sector 1 in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to him, Maikyala was apprehended at a hospital in Kagarko town, where he had gone for medical treatment over a gunshot wound sustained during an encounter with a rival faction.

Preliminary investigations, he said, indicated that the suspect was involved in several attacks on communities, kidnapping and cattle rustling.

He added that the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The military spokesman further disclosed that troops carried out clearance operations at Aljummu Hausa, Aljummu Fulani and Tunga Magaji villages in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, dismantling several terrorist hideouts.

He said the operation was aimed at restricting the activities of criminal elements and improving security in the affected communities.

Sinivie also revealed that the air component of the Nigerian Air Force conducted air interdiction operations against identified terrorist locations in Babban Doka and Kuyumbana Forest in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The locations were suspected to be associated with a wanted terrorist kingpin, Dogo Gide.

He explained that the air operations followed credible intelligence indicating that terrorists were assembling in the area to plan and coordinate criminal activities.

The acting media information officer said troops were currently maintaining operational dominance over the general area.

He reaffirmed the task force's commitment to sustaining its operations to protect lives and property across the Joint Operations Area.

Sinivie also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information about suspected terrorists and their activities to assist security agencies in tackling criminal threats.