Nigerian Army troops on patrol
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested several high-profile terror suspects, recovered large quantities of ammunition, and witnessed the surrender of insurgents in a series of coordinated operations carried out between October 7 and 9.
A military source at the Army Headquarters confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the operations, conducted across different theatres, involved joint efforts with other security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS).
One of the major breakthroughs occurred in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where troops from the 2 Brigade, in collaboration with DSS operatives, stormed a kidnappers’ hideout and captured a notorious gang leader, Emmanuel Akpan.
Akpan, who is infamous for kidnappings along the Oron/Ibaka corridor, was taken into custody on October 7 during the joint raid. He is currently being held by the DSS for further interrogation, the source disclosed.
In another operation on October 8, troops from the 196 Amphibious Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS operative at Baga, in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. The suspect had attempted to sneak into the town, posing as a surrendering fighter.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the suspect was acting as a logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist hideouts in Chad and Niger Republic,” the source said.
Elsewhere in Kaduna State, troops from the 4 Demonstration Battalion intercepted two suspects transporting a large cache of ammunition. The suspects were caught along the Lere–Saminaka–Kaduna road with 1,307 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“They were found with four mobile phones and ₦27,000 in cash. The ammunition was being transported from Barakin Ladi in Plateau State, headed for Zamfara,” the source added.
Meanwhile, military pressure continues to yield results as three ISWAP/JAS fighters—one of them a woman—voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 68 Battalion in Bosso, Niger State.
“The individuals, who claimed to be from Konduga and Jabilam, cited the growing hardship in their camps and mounting military offensives as reasons for their surrender. They are now undergoing profiling and debriefing by security officials,” the source stated.
The military also reported a fierce gun battle with insurgents in Bazamri Village, located in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Following the confrontation, troops from the 222 Battalion recovered two RPG bombs and a belt loaded with 150 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition.
In a continued effort to combat economic sabotage, troops intensified anti-oil theft operations across Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, and Plateau States. Several illegal refining sites were dismantled, suspects were arrested, and large volumes of petroleum products were seized.
“During these operations, soldiers confiscated 6,650 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, intercepted boats and vehicles used in the illegal trade, and destroyed multiple makeshift refining ovens,” the source noted.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Army remains committed to protecting the nation and its citizens:
> “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in protecting citizens, denying terrorists freedom of action, and creating safe conditions for peace and economic development,” he concluded.
NAN
