The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a high-profile terror suspect and the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition during a series of coordinated operations across different theatres of operation in the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Army said the operations, conducted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Whirl Stroke, and Operation Safe Haven, also led to the surrender of several terrorists who had been terrorizing communities in the North-East and North-Central regions.
According to the statement, the high-profile suspect was arrested during a targeted operation in Borno State following credible intelligence on his movements. Items recovered from the suspect and his associates include assault rifles, ammunition, improvised explosive device (IED) components, and communication gadgets.
The Army further revealed that in separate operations in Niger and Kaduna States, troops engaged armed bandits in fierce gun duels, neutralizing several of them while others fled with gunshot wounds. During clearance operations, troops also rescued kidnapped victims and recovered rustled cattle.
Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, commended the gallantry and resilience of the troops, assuring Nigerians of the military’s sustained commitment to restoring peace and security across the country.
He noted that the recent successes were the result of improved intelligence-sharing and collaboration with local communities and other security agencies. Nwachukwu urged citizens to continue supporting the military by providing timely information on suspicious movements and activities.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its mission to rid the country of terrorism, insurgency, and banditry. The arrest of this high-profile terror suspect is a major step toward dismantling criminal networks that threaten national peace,” the statement added.
Security analysts have described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the nation’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
