In a decisive wave of counterterrorism and internal security operations, the Nigerian Army has arrested 199 criminal suspects and neutralised several insurgents across the country, reflecting a strong commitment to national security and strategic coordination.
A reliable source within Army Headquarters confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the military has intensified its efforts across various operational zones, supported by other security organizations, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and community vigilante groups.
According to the source, the collaborative operations have successfully broken up major criminal syndicates, recovered firearms and ammunition, and confiscated illegal funds, stolen petroleum products, and equipment used in cybercrime activities.
In Borno State, soldiers from the 202 Battalion, in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), conducted a calculated ambush along the Bama axis. The operation led to the elimination of a suspected logistics courier affiliated with ISWAP/JAS terrorists. Among the items seized were a bicycle and mechanical components likely utilized in sustaining enemy supply routes.
The operations extended to Sokoto State, where personnel from the 8 Division Garrison Strike Team dismantled a drug distribution network operating around Giginya Cantonment and Raymond Village. The mission resulted in the arrest of four suspects and the confiscation of narcotic substances, two motorcycles, a vehicle, ₦185,000 in cash, ATM cards, mobile phones, and a point-of-sale terminal.
In Katsina State, troops from the 17 Brigade thwarted an ambush on a Nigerian Police convoy in the Malumfashi area. Their swift response not only prevented casualties but also led to the retrieval of a police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and the arrest of a notorious terrorist ringleader, Muhammadu Hamisu, also known as Mamiyo. Items recovered from him included a motorcycle and multiple communication gadgets.
Elsewhere in Kogi State, troops operating jointly with ONSA Hybrid Forces detained a suspected kidnapper believed to have connections with a prominent insurgent figure operating in Yagba East Local Government Area.
In Edo State, the 322 Artillery Regiment executed a surprise assault on known criminal enclaves within the EMU Forest. One suspect was taken into custody, while security forces recovered a double-barrel shotgun, a locally-made pistol, live cartridges, over ₦500,000 in cash, 24 mobile phones, and several motorcycles.
In the Federal Capital Territory, alert personnel from the 176 Guards Battalion, alongside the ONSA Quick Response Teams, apprehended three suspected extremist informants during a rapid checkpoint stop along the Lokoja-Abaji road.
In Plateau State, under the umbrella of Operation Safe Haven, the military arrested Zaki Kabiru, a wanted cattle rustler, along with another suspect linked to a recent homicide in Mangu Local Government Area. The arrests mark a continued effort to reduce violence and instability in the region.
One of the most significant developments occurred in Delta State, where troops from the 3 Battalion uncovered a cybercrime training centre in Warri. The raid resulted in the arrest of 183 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud, as well as the seizure of 274 laptops, 87 mobile phones, and various electronic devices allegedly used for online scams.
“These operations are monumental in our ongoing drive to bring peace and security to all parts of the country,” the senior military source stated. “They also serve as a powerful warning to those who threaten Nigeria’s stability—nowhere is beyond our reach.”
What you should know
The Nigerian Army’s recent series of coordinated operations has resulted in 199 arrests and the disruption of major criminal and terrorist activities.
With significant crackdowns on cybercrime, insurgency, and drug trafficking across states like Borno, Delta, Edo, and Plateau, the military reaffirms its aggressive posture against threats to national peace.
