Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other weapons in Plateau State, while a separate operation in Edo State led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim.
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.
During the raid, several occupants fled into the surrounding bush after sighting the troops. However, soldiers apprehended a 30-year-old woman, identified as Halima Ibrahim, while she was allegedly attempting to escape with two AK-47 rifle magazines.
A subsequent cordon-and-search operation at 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.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the recovered AK-47 rifle allegedly belonged to the woman’s husband, identified as Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, troops working with the Edo State Security Corps laid an ambush at Powerline Uzairue along the Afawosa–Iyora Road in Etsako West Local Government Area.
While positioned at the location, the troops reportedly sighted suspected kidnappers moving with a victim and engaged them.
The gunmen were forced to flee, abandoning their captive, identified as 35-year-old Mohammed Oboarekpe.
The rescued victim told the troops that he had been abducted from his residence in South Ibie on August 20, 2026.
The Nigerian Army said the operations underscored its commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes across the country.
The Army added that troops would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local security stakeholders to counter criminal activities and safeguard communities.
It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to strengthen security nationwide.
