The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that troops arrested the wife of a wanted terrorist kingpin during coordinated nationwide operations.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing Defence Correspondents on the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s activities conducted between February 13 and 19, 2026.
He revealed that Aisha Auta, spouse of a notorious terrorist leader, was among 20 suspects apprehended in various theatres of operation.
According to him, Aisha was taken into custody on February 19, 2026, by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
He noted that her husband’s eventual arrest could provide critical intelligence on terrorist financing and operational networks.
Providing further details, Gen. Onoja said:
“In a notable encounter on 19 February 2026, following information about terrorist activities at Kumeh village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area 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 and 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,”
He added that troops rescued 39 abducted victims within the same period.
Gen. Onoja further disclosed that on February 16, 2026, soldiers on routine patrol along the Maiduguri–Magumeri road intercepted five suspects carrying N37 million.
The individuals reportedly claimed the funds were intended for distribution to vulnerable communities on behalf of an international NGO, Action Against Hunger.
He said both the suspects and the money remain in custody pending investigations to verify the legitimacy of the transaction and eliminate possible links to terror financing or diversion of aid.
