* Says attacks targeted at public schools, churches
* Reveals victims will be used as human shields
* Troops kill terrorist, rescue kidnap victims in Adamawa
By Hosea Parah
The Nigerian Army has uncovered a sinister plot by terrorists to execute mass abductions targeting public schools and churches, with the intention of using the victims as human shields against ongoing military offensives.
According to military intelligence sources, the orchestrated attacks are aimed at vulnerable public institutions across the region to halt the progression of troops.
Meanwhile, in a decisive counter-operation, gallant troops deployed to Adamawa State have successfully neutralized one of the terrorists and rescued several kidnapped victims from captivity.
According to report, the Abubakar Saidu-led Ansaru terror group is plotting mass abductions of schoolchildren and churchgoers in several parts of North to use them as human shields against military attacks.
Highly-placed military sources citing signal intelligence to the Nigerian Army disclosed that the group’s plan was decided during Saidu’s meeting with the Shura Council (Council of Ministers) on November 2.
They noted that the plot was the fallout of sustained military onslaughts against the group’s members and operations in the northern region.
It was gathered that the coordinated attacks are specifically targeted at public schools, churches and Christian-majority communities in Niger State and other parts of the North.
Ansaru, also known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladis-Sudan, is an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organisation which emerged in Nigeria in January 2012 after breaking away from Boko Haram following disagreements with the insurgent group.
As reported by The Gazette, military sources disclosed that monitoring of the group’s activities heightened, following attacks which led to the assassination of Katsina-based Islamic cleric, Yahaya Ibrahim Massusuka, on October 26.
Earlier, the group in an audio clip claimed responsibility for the murder of the cleric who consistently challenged their Islamic teachings.
Military also informed that the group’s November 2 council meeting recorded the celebration of Massusuka’s assassination and appraisal of successful military attacks against it linked to alleged informants.
The sources added that the group said the unidentified spies were leaking their operational secrets to the military which intercepts its communication.
It was learnt that the sect, therefore, directed members to communicate only through Telegram or other approved communication channels, while also considering acquisitions of drone jammers and extra anti-aircraft guns for its combative activities.
Military sources further hinted that the Ansaru ordered its members to change camps, expose suspected secret agents among them and fortify their camps against military onslaughts.
It was gathered that the group believed the renewed attacks would bolster its defence capacity, further push its ideological views on the global stage and counter military claims of decimation.
It would be recalled that the group was formerly led by Abubakar Shekau, who succeeded the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf, after he was killed in 2009. Though both originated from the same extremist movement, Ansaru and Boko Haram operated as separate factions.
Their relationships were complicated by ideological and leadership differences.
Saidu, also called Sadiku, was a senior Boko Haram member in the North Central sent to North West by the late Shekau to raise money for JAS through kidnappings and cattle rustling.
In 2014, the group abducted 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. One of the schoolchildren is Leah Sharibu, who is still held captive for not changing her religion.
Sadiku’s other top four commanders are: Umar Taraba, Alhaji Idris, Baba Saidu, and Ali Mai Doki.
Reports noted that the Islamic terrorist leader was behind the planning of the Abuja-bound train attack on March 28, 2022, which led to the death of eight passengers and abduction of 62 others.
On January 3, 2026, the group attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, Borgu, Niger State, killing, at least, 30 people and abducting an unspecified number of women and children. The group has also been identified as responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers in three schools in Oyo State on May 15 to put pressure on the Federal Government to free its detained leaders. The abducted victims have been released, and some of the group’s arrested members are currently facing prosecution.
Sadiku is known for kidnapping females and forcing child labour in Shiroro, Niger State before relocating to Kainji National Lake, where he coordinated killings around the axis including mass killing of Woro and Nuku in Kaiama, Kwara State.
Military sources stated that the Ansaru terror group have networks in several northern states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, FCT, Zamfara, and Kaduna states.
In a related development, troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a terrorist attack, rescued three kidnap victims, and recovered arms and ammunition during separate operations in Adamawa State.
In an operational report on Tuesday, the Army said troops of Sector 4, Joint Task Force (North East) under Operation Hadin Kai, deployed to Gombi Local Government successfully foiled an attempted attack by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
“Demonstrating superior combat readiness, the troops decisively overwhelmed the attackers, neutralising two terrorists and forcing others to flee,” the report said.
It added that the troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, 115 rounds of ammunition, three belts of empty ammunition links and two cases of locally fabricated explosive devices.
“Other recovered items included a pair of desert boots, a camelback backpack, an Android phone, a wristwatch and the sum of N15,000,” it added.
It added that exploitation operations were still ongoing to track fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.
In another operation on Monday, it noted that troops deployed in Mubi acted promptly after a distress call from farmers around Dutse-Uku in the Mubi South Local Government Area over the abduction of a resident, Happiness Dama Dauda, working on her farm.
It said the suspected kidnappers also took her motorcycle.
In response to the abduction, troops, in collaboration with hunters, mobilised to the area and mounted pressure on the suspected kidnappers, compelling them to abandon their victim and flee.
It added that sustained pursuit operations subsequently led to the rescue of two additional locals suspected to have been abducted earlier, bringing the total number of rescued victims to three.
It further stated troops also recovered motorbikes conveying goods belonging to some farmers.
“One motorcycle, a tricycle conveying 15 bags of beans, and one Hi-Jet pickup conveying 13 bags of groundnuts belonging to other farmers who narrowly escaped the kidnappers were recovered,” the report added.
It noted that the recovered items were identified by the respective village heads and handed over to their rightful owners.
The troops assured residents of their safety and continued efforts to prevent further attacks.