Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other weapons in Plateau State, while rescuing a kidnapped victim during a separate operation in Edo State. The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle, on Friday, saying……
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other weapons in Plateau State, while rescuing a kidnapped victim during a separate operation in Edo State.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle, on Friday, saying the operations were carried out as part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes across the country.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, working with vigilantes and local hunters, conducted an intelligence-led raid on Kisayi and Dogon Daji settlements in Bassa Local Government Area.
The operation followed the abduction of Dr Abraham Owoicho on August 19, 2026.
According to the Army, some occupants of the settlements fled into the surrounding bush when they sighted the troops.
....: Troops Foil Mass Abduction in Zamfara, Rescue Nine Civilians
However, a 30-year-old woman identified as Halima Ibrahim was arrested while allegedly attempting to escape with two AK-47 rifle magazines.
A subsequent search of her residence in Kisayi B Village led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a locally fabricated revolver, a military jungle hat and three mobile phones.
The Army said preliminary investigation indicated that the recovered AK-47 rifle allegedly belonged to Halima’s husband, identified as Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, troops working with the Edo State Security Corps rescued a kidnapped victim during an ambush operation along the Afawosa–Iyora Road in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly laid an ambush at Powerline Uzairue, where they sighted suspected kidnappers moving with their victim.
The Army said the troops engaged the suspected kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee.
The victim, identified as 35-year-old Mohammed Oboarekpe, told the troops that he was abducted from his residence in South Ibie on August 20, 2026.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes.
“Troops will continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local security stakeholders to counter all forms of criminality and safeguard communities,” the Army said.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide “timely and credible information” to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to improve security across the country.
