Troopsa of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other items during an intelligence-led operation in Plateau State, while a separate military operation in Edo State led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim.
The Army said troops of Operation Endurance Peace, working with vigilantes and local hunters, carried out a raid on Kisayi and Dogon Daji settlements in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State following the abduction of Dr Abraham Owoicho on August 19, 2026.
According to the Army, some occupants of the targeted locations fled into nearby bushes when they sighted the troops.
A 30-year-old woman identified as Halima Ibrahim was, however, arrested while allegedly attempting to escape with two AK-47 rifle magazines.
“During the operation, some occupants fled into the surrounding bush on sighting the troops,” the Army said.
“However, a 30-year-old woman, identified as Halima Ibrahim, was apprehended while attempting to flee with two AK-47 rifle magazines.”
A subsequent search of her residence at Kisayi B Village led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a locally fabricated revolver, a military jungle hat and three mobile phones.
The Army said preliminary investigations indicated that the AK-47 rifle allegedly belonged to the suspect’s husband, identified as Ibrahim.
“A subsequent cordon and search of her residence at Kisayi B Village led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated revolver, one military jungle hat and three mobile phones,” the statement said.
In Edo State, troops working with the Edo State Security Corps mounted an ambush at Powerline Uzairue along the Afawosa–Iyora Road in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly sighted suspected kidnappers moving with a victim and engaged them, forcing the suspects to abandon their captive and flee.
The rescued man was identified as 35-year-old Mohammed Oboarekpe, who told security personnel that he had been abducted from his residence in South Ibie on August 20.
“While at the ambush position, troops sighted suspected kidnappers moving with their victim and engaged them, forcing the criminals to abandon the victim,” the Army said.
It added that Oboarekpe was subsequently rescued from the scene.
The Nigerian Army said the two operations formed part of ongoing efforts to break criminal networks involved in arms trafficking, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to dismantling criminal networks involved in kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes,” it stated.
The Army assured Nigerians that intelligence-driven operations would continue in collaboration with other security agencies and local security stakeholders.
“Troops will continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local security stakeholders to counter all forms of criminality and safeguard communities,” the statement added.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community intelligence remained critical to preventing attacks and tracking criminal groups.
