Troops Arrest 16 Suspects, Recover Arms In Nationwide Operations

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 16 suspects and recovered arms, ammunition, and other items during coordinated operations carried out across different parts of the country.

This was contained in an operational report made available on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the report, the arrests and recoveries were recorded within the last 24 hours under ongoing military operations, including Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Operation MESA, Operation ENDURING PEACE, and Operation UDO KA.

In the North-West, troops of 8 Division Garrison under Operation FANSAN YAMMA raided a suspected terrorist logistics base in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The operation led to the recovery of a fabricated pistol loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, while hard drugs were also seized. Eleven suspects were arrested from identified hideouts during the raid.

“Similarly, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team responded swiftly to a distress call in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, providing immediate intervention and medical evacuation for victims, thereby preventing further escalation,” the report stated.

The military also disclosed that troops of the 8 Division Strike Force in Kebbi State recovered the remains of a missing soldier during a patrol operation and ensured proper evacuation.

In Edo State, troops working alongside the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits carried out coordinated raids on criminal hideouts in Owan East Local Government Area.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of weapons, including machetes, a spear, and a mobile phone allegedly used for criminal activities.

The report further revealed that troops of the 20 Model Battalion, in collaboration with operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency, arrested a suspected gunrunner in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to the military, the suspect was linked to the supply of 23 AK-47 rifles to a rogue vigilante leader, describing the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to curb illegal arms proliferation.

In Plateau State, under Operation ENDURING PEACE, troops foiled a cattle rustling attempt in a border community between Bassa and Jos South Local Government Areas, forcing the armed group to abandon their mission.

In the South-South, troops of the 245 Battalion under Operation UDO KA intercepted a suspected criminal during a stop-and-search operation in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The suspect was found in possession of two locally made pistols and has provided useful intelligence to security operatives, with follow-up operations ongoing.

The report noted that the successes reflect intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive troop deployment across strategic locations nationwide.

It added that security operations would continue in order to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the country.