RismadarVoice Reporters
September 4, 2026
The Nigerian Army says its troops have neutralised a terrorist and arrested 24 suspects during various operations conducted across several states between September 1 and 3, 2026.
According to an operational report released by the Army on Friday, the operations targeted terrorists, kidnappers, armed groups and other criminal elements.
In Niger State, troops of the NATRAC Administration Battalion at Forward Operating Base Kotonkoro foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Kotonkoro-Bangi Road in Mariga Local Government Area.
The military said the intervention forced the attackers to abandon five victims and escape into the forest. The victims were subsequently rescued and handed over to community leaders.
In Benue State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested five suspects and recovered two AK-47 magazines and 46 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The arrests followed a clearance operation at a suspected terrorist hideout in Peva, an area located between Benue and Taraba states. The operation was aimed at flushing out terrorists, armed herders, militia members and other criminal elements allegedly operating in the area.
The Army also reported that troops neutralised a terrorist during a fighting patrol along the Gbisе-Igyudu Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Items recovered from the operation included a locally fabricated pistol, a pistol magazine, an AK-47 magazine and several rounds of ammunition.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops arrested a suspected kidnapping kingpin allegedly linked to the abduction of five employees of SADICOMEX Mining Company Limited.
The suspect was apprehended during an intelligence-led operation, with preliminary investigations indicating that he was allegedly a member of a four-man kidnapping gang.
In Delta State, troops, working alongside personnel of the Department of State Services, arrested 13 suspects during a raid on CH Palace in Otulu Community, Aniocha South Local Government Area.
Two pump-action guns were recovered during the operation, while the suspects and weapons were handed over to the DSS for further investigation.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested a suspected terrorist informant at Sabon Gida Village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State following intelligence provided by the DSS.
Another suspected kidnapper was also arrested at Gou in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State during operations aimed at disrupting criminal activities in the area.
The Army said the operations reflected its continued reliance on intelligence-led operations to dismantle terrorist, kidnapping and other criminal networks across the country.
