The Nigerian Army has arrested several high-profile terror suspects and recovered a cache of weapons in coordinated operations across multiple states between October 7 and 9.
A military source at the Army Headquarters disclosed that the operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, led to the capture of notorious criminals, recovery of arms, and surrender of insurgents.
According to the source, troops of the 2 Brigade, in a joint operation with the Department of State Services (DSS), stormed a kidnappers’ hideout in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and apprehended a notorious kidnap kingpin, Emmanuel Akpan.
Akpan, who was said to have masterminded several abductions along the Oron–Ibaka axis, is now in DSS custody for further interrogation.
In a separate operation, soldiers from the 196 Amphibious Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorist attempting to infiltrate Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had been working as a logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist enclaves in Chad and Niger Republic under the guise of a repentant fighter.
Similarly, troops of the 4 Demonstration Battalion intercepted two men conveying 1,307 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition along the Lere–Saminaka–Kaduna Road in Kaduna State.
The suspects, who were in possession of four mobile phones and ₦27,000, reportedly transported the ammunition from Barakin Ladi, Plateau State, to Zamfara.
The source further disclosed that three ISWAP/JAS members, including a female, surrendered to troops of 68 Battalion in Bosso, Niger State, citing increased military pressure and dire living conditions in their camps.
The surrendered insurgents, said to be from Konduga and Jabilam, are being profiled for further questioning.
Elsewhere in Borno State, troops of the 222 Battalion engaged terrorists in a fierce gun duel at Bazamri Village, Konduga Local Government Area.
After the encounter, soldiers recovered two RPG bombs and a belt containing 150 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition.
Across the Niger Delta and southeastern regions, troops intensified operations against oil theft in Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, and Plateau States.
Several suspects were arrested, while illegal refining sites, boats, vehicles, and 6,650 litres of Premium Motor Spirit were seized and destroyed.
The source reaffirmed the army’s commitment to safeguarding citizens and restoring peace across the country, saying the Nigerian Army remains resolute in protecting the people, denying terrorists freedom of action, and creating conditions for peace and economic growth.