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Tag: Nigerian Army

  • Army arrests ‘terror kingpin’, records major operational gains

    Army arrests ‘terror kingpin’, records major operational gains

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists’ logistics and intelligence courier.

    The suspect was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of the 196 Amphibious Battalion in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    He was alleged to have attempted to infiltrate Baga when he was caught.

    According to a statement on Friday by the army, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who served as a logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist enclaves in Chad and the Niger Republic, had posed as a surrendering fighter to gather information on troop movements. He has been handed over to 403 Amphibious Brigade for further investigation, the statement signed by spokeswoman, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele revealed.

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    On successes recorded across the country, the army said troops of 2Brigade in collaboration with officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested a kidnap kingpin, Emmanuel Akpan, during a raid of a hideout in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Akpan allegedly terrorised residents along the Oron/Ibaka axis before his arrest. The army said he was being held by the DSS for further investigation.

    In Kaduna State, troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion intercepted two suspects at a snap checkpoint along the Lere-Saminaka-Kaduna Road in Sabon Birni Local Government Area. The suspects were found with 1,307 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four mobile phones, and ₦27,000 cash. Investigations indicated that the ammunition was being transported from Barakin Ladi, Plateau State, to Zamfara State.

    Meanwhile, three ISWAP/JAS terrorists, including a female, voluntarily surrendered to troops of 68 Battalion at Bosso, Niger State. The trio, who cited intense military pressure and hardship within terrorist camps around the Tumbun Marcobina axis, have been profiled for further debriefing.

    In another encounter, troops of 222 Battalion at Bazamri Village, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, engaged terrorists in a firefight, forcing them to flee. During subsequent operations, soldiers recovered two RPG bombs and a belt containing 150 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition.

    Across other regions, troops intensified anti-crime and anti-oil theft operations, leading to multiple arrests, recovery of illegal arms, and dismantling of unlawful refining sites in Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, and Plateau States.

    Over 6,650 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), several boats, vehicles, and refining equipment were seized or destroyed in line with established directives.

    Anele said the Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens, protecting communities, and creating a secure environment for sustainable economic growth.

  • Army to media: we must join forces against terrorist propaganda

    Army to media: we must join forces against terrorist propaganda

    The Nigerian Army has urged the media to join forces with the military to counter terrorist propaganda to prevent enemies of the state from eroding public trust and troops’ morale with falsehood.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony of the combined third and fourth quarter training seminar for the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) in Abuja on Thursday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Apollonia Anele stated that the current counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism campaign cannot be won by firepower alone, but also by mastering information.

    The seminar, themed ‘Enhancing Responsible Media Reportage of Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment for Enhanced National Security’, was attended by army officers, sister services, security and intelligence agencies, and defence correspondents.

    According to Lt.-Col. Anele, propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation have become dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists and other non-state actors; hence, the media must work together with the military to cushion the effects of these on national security.

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    She said, “Over the past days, we have engaged in rigorous discussions, insightful presentations, and stimulating exchanges that have sharpened our perspectives on the vital interface between the military and the media in safeguarding our nation.

    “The issues dissected in this seminar have underscored a clear truth, that in today’s complex security environment, the battle is not won by firepower alone, but equally by the mastery of information. Propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation have become dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists, secessionists, economic saboteurs, and their collaborators.

    “Our collective task is to ensure these falsehoods do not erode public trust, weaken national morale, or undermine the sacrifices of our gallant troops who daily confront enemies of our state.”

    The Army spokesperson emphasized that the Nigerian Army remains unwavering in its constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our beloved country.

    “Yet, to achieve lasting victory, the cooperation of the media is indispensable. You are not bystanders in this fight; you are strategic partners whose words and reports shape perception, build resilience, and mobilize public support for the armed forces,” Anele said.

    She said the seminar has provided the platform to deepen the partnership between the Army and the media, strengthen mutual trust, and chart a clear path for more responsible, balanced, and conflict-sensitive reportage.

    She urged participants at the seminar to translate lessons learnt from the seminar into action, in the newsroom, on the field, or in respective deployments.

    “It is only by doing so that the enemies of the countries can be denied the oxygen of propaganda,” Anele said.

  • Army neutralises nine terrorists, rescues 37 kidnap victims

    Army neutralises nine terrorists, rescues 37 kidnap victims

    The Nigerian Army has recorded another major success in the ongoing onslaught against terrorists and other non-state actors across the country.

    In coordinated ground and joint operations the troops neutralised nine terrorists, including five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad (JAS), a Boko Haram splinter group, in Borno.

    They also neutralized two terrorists in a border between Ekiti and Kogi state, and one in Delta State.

    A military source told The Nation on Wednesday that troops recovered several weapons and logistics items from criminals in the operations that were conducted between October 2 to 6.

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    Providing details on the operations, the source said 151 Task Force Battalion ambushed ISWAP/JAS terrorists at Dipchari in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, and in the firefight that ensued five terrorists were killed.

    “Similarly, 148 Battalion operating around the Iyemero community on the Ekiti–Kogi border neutralized two insurgents and recovered two new AK-47 rifles. While 3 Battalion repelled a large-scale attack on its location, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists, with one confirmed killed and several others escaping with gunshot wounds,” the source said. 

    “Trroops also arrested 8 criminal suspects for various offences including terrorism, kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons across Borno, Katsina, Imo and Plateau States. 

    “Among the arrests were an ISWAP logistics courier in Monguno, a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kukawa in Borno State, a wanted IPOB/ESN kingpin in Imo State, and a suspected gunrunner in Plateau State.”

    According to the military source, troops rescued 37 kidnap victims across Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, Delta and Kebbi States, in ongoing clearance operations.

    “Notably, 28 locals were freed from terrorist captivity in Sakaba, Kebbi State, including a pregnant woman who gave birth during the rescue,” the source said.

    “In separate missions, troops in Kaduna and Delta States rescued a total of seven kidnapped civilians, while another two victims were freed in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following a swift response by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE.”

    The source said troops have continued to intensify anti-smuggling and anti-oil theft operations in the South South, noting that in Imo State, combined forces of 34 Artillery Brigade and Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered multiple illegal refining sites, and destroyed over 20,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.

    “Troops equally recovered one dane gun, one fabricated pistol, three AK-47 magazines, 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 93 belted rounds of 7.62mm NATO and several motorcycles used for criminal activities,” he said.

    The source acknowledged the contributions of sister services, security agencies and local vigilantes, whose cooperation it said have continued to enhance the success of ongoing military onslaughts against terrorists and other non-state actors.

    He assured Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the Army to “create a safer environment that will boost economic and agricultural activities in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to food security.” 

  • ‘Current soldiers’ welfare best  since Army’s creation’

    ‘Current soldiers’ welfare best  since Army’s creation’

    • Army chief hails COAS, inaugurates blocks of 18 rooms, flats in PH

    The Chief of Special Services and Programmes of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdulsalam, has said the current welfare of soldiers is the best since the creation of the force.

    He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had, since his assumption of office, made soldiers’ welfare his top priority.

    Abdulsalam spoke after inaugurating the newly completed blocks of 18 rooms and flats constructed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, as transit accommodation for the general officers and staff at Bori Camp in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    He said: “The welfare of soldiers has never been as good as it is now since the creation of the Nigerian Army. Many welfare aspects of the soldiers have been tackled.

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    “The ration cash allowance of soldiers has been doubled since the Chief of Army Staff came. Many issues about soldiers have been handled; their medical and accommodation, including the education of their wards and children. All the things provided for them are excellent, top-notch.”

    Abdulsalam, the immediate past GOC of 6 Division, said the transit accommodation, codenamed Python Camp, was in line with the command philosophy of the COAS on staff welfare.

    He said: “You can see that everything within the complex is meant for soldiers. He has been able to build this edifice that will accommodate nothing less than 40 to 50 soldiers.

    “It is a commendable project, and this is what the Army is all about everywhere. Everybody wants to emulate what the Chief of Army Staff is doing.”

    Maj.-Gen. Emekah lauded the achievements of his predecessor in the division, saying the project was done in the spirit of continuity.

    Addressing Abdulsalam, the GOC said: “It is an addition to the laudable achievements recorded under your command and it reflects the drive to align with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy as it relates to troops’ welfare, the provision of befitting living and working conditions.

    “The project stands as tangible evidence of continuity, growth, and sheer commitment to the well-being of our personnel.”

    According to him, construction work is also ongoing on a 60-unit block of flats within the division.

    The GOC explained that the project was designed to address the accommodation deficit faced by officers and to complement the solid foundation his predecessor laid down during his tenure.

    Emekah said Abdulsalam’s legacies remained enduring and assured him that they would be preserved and improved upon.

  • 13 terrorists killed, bandit leaders, 28 criminals arrested in nationwide onslaught 

    13 terrorists killed, bandit leaders, 28 criminals arrested in nationwide onslaught 

    Nigerian Army‘s troops have neutralized 13 terrorists and kidnappers in the ongoing intensified onslaught against criminals nationwide. 

    They also arrested two high-profile bandit leaders, Saauwan Wuaiyolna, in Taraba State, and Chukwuepre Gideon, in Enugu State, alongside 28 other terrorists and criminal elements in operations conducted from September 17 to 19.

    A source at the Army Headquarters told The Nation on Sunday that the operation during this period also led to the rescue of three kidnap victims, the rescue of five terrorist family members, and the recovery of a cache of weapons and other items.

    According to the source, Wuaiyolna, high-profile member of the notorious and wanted criminal gang led by AKIKI UTIVI, popularly known as Full Fire was arrested by troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE at Takum Junction in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State while attempting to monitor troops’ activities in furtherance of his nefarious operations.

    He said Gideon, a notorious wanted criminal, was arrested through the combined efforts of the 103 Battalion, Nigeria Police, and Neighborhood Watch, during a raid at his hideout in the Mmaku community of Awgu Local Government Area in Enugu State. The operation resulted in the recovery of one motorcycle, one laptop, three unidentified flags, four empty cartridges, and other items.

    The source said troops intensified counter-terrorism operations in the North-East and North West, dealing decisive blows to terrorists and rescuing kidnap victims.

    “In Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, troops of 19 Battalion, supported by Civilian JTF and other volunteers, engaged Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) terrorists, neutralizing one and destroying their logistics structures. Two kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation,” he said.

    “In a similar operation in the Bama Local Government Area, five ISWAP/JAS family members, one woman and four children, surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion. Elsewhere in Konduga Local Government Area, troops of 222 Battalion ambushed and neutralized two terrorists following CCTV surveillance.

    “In Zamfara State, troops of 1 Brigade neutralized one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle in Anka Local Government Area, while in another patrol recovered three rustled camels from terrorists attempting to move livestock around the Bakura axis. In Kaduna State, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized two terrorists at Ankwa in Kachia LGA, recovering two AK-47 rifles, a motorcycle and a mobile phone.”

    According to the military source, troops of Army Headquarters Garrison, Department of State Service (DSS) and Police Anti-Kidnap Squad also dealt decisive blows to kidnappers in Abuja, killing three kidnappers in Kurudu high ground and rescuing one victim, and recovering two AK-47 rifles and ammunition. 

    “Similarly, in Delta State, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion neutralized two suspected kidnappers in Ika North Local Government Area, recovering one AK-47 rifle, magazines and 42 rounds of ammunition.”

    In the South-East region, the military source revealed that the 34 Artillery Brigade neutralized two Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) militants during clearance operations in Imo State, recovering a locally fabricated gun, radios, IED-making materials, and Biafra insignia.

    He said troops also made significant strides against oil theft in the South-South, discovering over 6,500 litres of illegally refined products and dismantling cooking drums and receivers in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area. Additionally, in Delta State, three suspected oil bunkers were arrested with petroleum products in Ethiope East Local Government Area.

    According to the military source, troops also engaged criminal cultists and miscreants, arresting one cultist linked to kidnapping was arrested, while another was neutralized and one pump-action rifle was recovered, In Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State

    “In Cross River State, eight suspected miscreants were arrested in Obubura Local Government Area, following an ambush on troops, with clearance operations ongoing in the forests,” he said.

  • Troops arrest terrorists’ commander, 60 others in nationwide crackdown

    Troops arrest terrorists’ commander, 60 others in nationwide crackdown

    • Burst local arm factory, recover arms, arrest weapon fabricator

    • Arrest 25 drug pushers in Plateau, seize illicit drugs

    • 789 IPOB/ESN suspects nabbed in Imo

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded another round of success in their amplified onslaught against terrorists and other non-state actors across the country.

    A highly reliable source told The Nation yesterday that troops arrested a suspected terrorist leader, Malam Abubakar Ahmadu, in Niger State, along with 60 other criminal elements across the country during operations conducted from September 15 to 17.

    A weapons fabricator, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics suppliers, and drug peddlers were arrested, while various high caliber weapons and other items were recovered.

    In Plateau State, the troops also burst a local arm factory, recovered arms and arrested a weapon fabricator

    According to the military source, the terrorists’ leader and two other accomplices were arrested on September 17 by 31 Military Intelligence Regiment and 313 Artillery Regiment at Tungan Mallam Market in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The source also revealed that intensified pressure on terrorist logistics networks by the 29 Task Force Brigade and 117 Task Force Battalion during operations on September 15 and 16 resulted in the arrest of five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) logistics suppliers in Benisheikh Market, Kaga Local Government Area, and at Kautikari village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.

    He said: “In separate operations, troops at Nguru, Yobe State, intercepted four suspects transporting large quantities of fabrics, fertilizer, solar panels, and drugs intended for terrorists’ use. Another suspect was arrested in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area with assorted drugs, while follow-up operations led to the arrest of two accomplices.

    “Furthermore, troops arrested a suspected terrorist spy in Monguno town, Borno State, who confessed to being part of a 10-man team tasked with kidnapping victims for the insurgents.”

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    According to the military source, ongoing counter-criminality operations in Adamawa State also yielded significant gains, with troops from the 232 Battalion, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arresting five suspects during a raid on a large Indian hemp farm in Kwaji village, Mubi North Local Government Area.

    On successes in the North West zone, the source said that troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces and 312 Artillery Regiment recovered one AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds, five cows, 15 rams and other items after dispersing insurgents during offensive operations around Kajuru Local Government Area.

    He said troops in Yuna village, Giwa Local Government Area recovered motorcycles and arrested two suspects linked to bandit groups.

  • Captured in the East, courted in the North

    Captured in the East, courted in the North

    • By Folorunso Fatai Adisa

    Sir: The Nigerian Army has scored a tangible operational success. Ifeanyi Eze, a high-ranking commander of the Eastern Security Network, known by the alias “Gentle de Yahoo,” was apprehended at a hideout in the Aku-Ihube area of Okigwe, Imo State. Alongside him, security forces seized weapons, ammunition, and other materials linked to insurgent activity. On paper, this is a decisive tactical achievement for a military long criticized for its uneven response to the insurgency in the Southeast.

    A tactical win, no matter how dramatic, does not automatically dismantle the Eastern Security Network or resolve the grievances that sustain it. The capture of Eze is an opportunity, not an endpoint, and it places a clear responsibility on policymakers to convert a military success into strategic progress.

    The Nigerian Constitution, along with international conventions to which Nigeria is a party, guarantees the right to a fair trial. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have repeatedly highlighted challenges in prosecuting alleged insurgents, from prolonged detention to opaque judicial processes. Ensuring that Eze is tried transparently and promptly is essential. It is not merely a procedural formality; it is a strategic signal. A credible trial demonstrates that the state, not armed groups, is the ultimate arbiter of justice. Conversely, a flawed process risks propaganda victories for insurgents and can fuel recruitment into the very networks the military seek to dismantle.

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    Contrast this with Katsina State, where the approach has been markedly different. Only days ago, a wanted bandit leader openly attended peace talks in Faskari Local Government Area, one of the worst-hit councils in the Northwest. Instead of being arrested, he was welcomed to the negotiating table as communities sought to broker a fragile peace with armed groups. The symbolism could not be starker: in Imo, a commander was seized and paraded as evidence of state strength; in Katsina, a kingpin walked freely into dialogue, underscoring the state’s willingness, or desperation, to negotiate.

    Local communities in Katsina are themselves divided. Some see negotiation as a necessary evil, a way to stem ceaseless killings, kidnappings, and raids that have devastated livelihoods. Others recall with bitterness how previous peace deals in the Northwest collapsed into betrayal, as bandits regrouped and returned to violence once concessions were granted. To them, dialogue without accountability feels like surrender, eroding faith in the rule of law. The decision not to arrest a wanted bandit in full public view creates a dangerous precedent: one Nigeria where insurgents face trial, another where bandits enjoy immunity in exchange for shaky promises.

    This divergence captures Nigeria’s broader security dilemma.

    Peace studies pioneer Johan Galtung once observed that “negative peace” is the absence of violence, while “positive peace” requires justice, equity, and reconciliation. Nigeria today risks settling for negative peace in Katsina, silencing guns without addressing grievances, while in Imo, it courts further instability by pursuing justice through force alone. True stability requires harmonizing the two: the discipline of law with the inclusiveness of dialogue.

    In essence, the capture of Eze presents the state with a dual challenge: operationally, it is a win; politically and socially, it is a test. Can the government leverage this moment to address grievances, restore confidence, and build a sustainable peace? Or will it be treated as a symbolic triumph, celebrated in headlines while underlying tensions persist? History offers caution. Across the world, insurgencies thrive not only on ideology but on perceived injustices. When the state responds solely with force, communities may close ranks around the very networks it seeks to dismantle.

    For the Nigerian public, the question is not whether the army can capture a commander? It is whether this translates into safer streets, functioning markets, and a return to normalcy. Tactical victories matter, but they are a means to an end, not the end itself. The military’s success must be accompanied by visible improvements in law enforcement, judicial integrity, and civic trust.

    The capture of Ifeanyi Eze in Imo and the negotiation with a bandit kingpin in Katsina together mirror the contradictions at the heart of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts. Military prowess can disrupt, deter, and dismantle. Dialogue can pacify, de-escalate, and buy time. But enduring stability requires the patient work of rebuilding relationships, enforcing the rule of law, and addressing the conditions that allow armed groups to flourish. The battle may be won in Imo, and the gamble staked in Katsina, yet the peace, fragile, elusive, and desperately needed, remains to be written.

    •Folorunso Fatai Adisa,

    United Kingdom.

  • Nigerian Army seeks stronger collaboration to counter fake news

    Nigerian Army seeks stronger collaboration to counter fake news

    In a significant move to safeguard Nigeria’s information space, the Nigerian Army has called for a strengthened alliance with the traditional media, identifying credible journalism as a critical weapon in the nation’s fight against insecurity and destabilizing fake news.

    The call was made on Tuesday during a high-level visit by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant-Colonel Appolonia Anele, to the Abuja bureau of The Nation newspaper.

    The visit, framed as part of a “Thank you tour,” highlighted the military’s commitment to building bridges with the Fourth Estate for the nation’s collective security and development.

    Lt.-Col. Anele who came to The Nation newspapers office along with other military officials in her department also articulated the Nigeria Army’s vision, describing the traditional media not just as observers, but as “indispensable partners” in the ongoing mission to secure the nation.

    She emphasized that balanced and responsible reporting like what The Nation practices is essential towards debunking terrorist narratives and ideologies that fester on social media, effectively cutting off their oxygen supply, recruitment and influence over the youth.

    “Our reason for being here is to say thank you and seek ways to better collaborate with you,” Lt.-Col. Anele stated, striking a tone of mutual respect.

    “We have achieved a lot of successes across the theatres of operation, which The Nation has always reported; I understand the media principle of balancing reports, and I will always be available for any clarification,” she added.

    The Army’s spokesperson specifically commended The Nation for its consistent and principled coverage, which she said helps project the military’s genuine successes and challenges alike, thereby fostering informed national discourse.

    In his response, The Nation’s Bureau Chief, Mr. Onyedi Ojiabor, commended the Nigerian Army and the entire Armed Forces and security agencies for their tireless efforts and sacrifices in combating threats to the nation’s peace.

    Mr. Ojiabor reaffirmed the newspaper’s unwavering commitment to responsible journalism, a cornerstone of its editorial policy.

    “From the topmost hierarchy in the organization, they emphasize balanced reporting,” he stated, adding that the country belongs to all of us, and every citizen must strive towards building a better country for future generations.

    He further assured the Army delegation of the publication’s continued partnership and dedication to a professional working relationship built on truth and national interest.

    This collaborative spirit marks a pivotal step towards a unified front where the might of the military is powerfully complemented by the integrity of the media, ensuring that truth, not falsehood, guides the nation’s path to enduring security and prosperity.

  • Army kills terrorists, arrests 71 suspects in nationwide onslaught

    Army kills terrorists, arrests 71 suspects in nationwide onslaught

    Several terror suspects have been killed and 71 arrested in onslaughts executed by the Nigerian Army across the country. 

    The operations, the army said, were carried out between September 1 and 6, adding that many victims of kidnapping were rescued, assorted firearms, ammunition recovered and illicit substances seized, said the spokesperson for the service, Lt. -Col. Appolonia Anele, yesterday. 

    In the North East, troops of 117 Task Force Battalion supported by Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes engaged terrorists at Yimurmuze in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, neutralising one and seizing an AK-47 rifle, magazine, and 24 rounds of ammunition. 

    Similarly, troops of 159 Battalion in Geidam LGA eliminated another terrorist, recovering additional weapons. In Gwoza LGA, troops of 192 Battalion with Hybrid Force repelled an ambush by ISWAP/JAS fighters around Kwatara Kasa Village, killing one terrorist while others fled towards the Mandara Mountains.

    Operatives of 115 Task Force Battalion in Adamawa arrested eight suspected cattle rustlers in Askira Uba, recovering locally made weapons and mobile phones. 

    Troops of 232 Battalion also intercepted two suspected petroleum smugglers in Mubi South LGA with 19 jerrycans of products concealed on motorcycles.

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    In the North West, a combined air and ground strike at Zango in Katsina State dealt a major blow to terrorists, killing about15 fighters according to intercepted communications. 

    In Sokoto, troops arrested two terrorist informants and logistics suppliers, while in Zamfara, 1 Brigade, working with the DSS, apprehended a female logistics supplier linked to notorious kingpin Ado Aliero. She was found with ₦37,000 cash, a mobile phone, and other items.

    Troops in the North Central region also made headway. Operation WHIRL STROKE forces neutralised one armed herder in Logo LGA of Benue State and recovered weapons. In Niger State, two kidnapped victims were rescued and 28 rustled cows recovered following air and ground operations in Mariga LGA.

    Across other regions, operations yielded further results. In Plateau, troops uncovered two AK-47 rifles in Mista Ali Village, Bassa LGA, after interrogating a captured informant. In the Federal Capital Territory, Guards Brigade troops recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested three criminals in Gwagwalada. In Kaduna State, 19 suspects were rounded up during raids in Rigasa, Mando, Tudun Wada, and Unguwan Dosa.

    In the South, troops disrupted oil bunkering activities in Rivers State, uncovering 35 sacks of illegally refined products amounting to about 1,750 litres. One suspect was arrested. 

    In Delta, soldiers working with the NDLEA nabbed three drug peddlers in Sapele, while in Oshimili South, two IPOB/ESN members allegedly linked to IED production were apprehended.

    Other coordinated actions in Lagos, Plateau, and the FCT also saw the arrest of armed robbers, kidnappers, and drug dealers, alongside the recovery of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances.

    The Nigerian Army stressed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, dismantling terrorist networks, and creating a safer environment to enhance agricultural productivity and support the Federal Government’s drive for food security.

  • Troops arrest female terrorist, six others in nationwide crackdown

    Troops arrest female terrorist, six others in nationwide crackdown

    Troops of 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a female terrorist logistics supplier linked to notorious terror kingpin Ado Aliero at Kucheri in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

    Troops also arrested six other suspected criminals and recovered weapons in other parts of the country.”

    A source at Army headquarters told The Nation on Sunday that the suspect, who was arrested on September 6, admitted to being a drug peddler for the terror kingpin and was found in possession of weapons, cash, and other items.

    According to the source, Nigerian Army troops continue to scale up operations to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt criminal activities, and recover illicit arms across the country, achieving remarkable successes in their operations.

    He said troops from the 192 Battalion, in conjunction with the Hybrid Force, neutralized one Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighter during a firefight around Kwatara Kasa village in Borno State, yesterday.

    “In Adamawa State, troops of 232 Battalion intercepted two suspected petroleum smugglers in Mubi South Local Government Area with 19 jerrycans of petroleum products loaded on motorcycles,” the source said. 

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    “In Plateau State, troops of operation ENDURING PEACE secured a breakthrough following the earlier arrest of a terrorist informant at Dadin Kowa on 4 September. During interrogation, the suspect revealed the location of hidden weapons in Mista Ali Village, Bassa Local Government Area.” 

    During the operation, the informant made a desperate attempt to escape while leading troops to the secret cache, but was swiftly neutralized. Meanwhile, troops successfully recovered two AK-47 rifles from the heavily fortified hideout, and relentless efforts are ongoing to track down his accomplices.

    The military source stated that troops in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to build on their recent successes, intercepting and arresting several criminals in ongoing operations.

    “In the Federal Capital Territory, 176 Guards Battalion mounted a snap roadblock to intercept a stolen vehicle from Osun State. The suspects fled but were tracked to a hotel in Gwagwalada, where three criminals were arrested. 

    “Troops recovered the stolen vehicle, 11 mobile phones, and ₦29,700 cash before handing the suspects and exhibits over to the police,” the source said.