Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner in Plateau State and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other weapons, while a separate operation in Edo State led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim from suspected kidnappers.
In Plateau, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, working with vigilantes and local hunters, carried out an intelligence-led raid on Kisayi and Dogon Daji settlements in Bassa Local Government Area following the abduction of Dr Abraham Owoicho on August 19, 2026.
The operation forced several occupants to flee into the surrounding bush. However, troops apprehended a 30-year-old woman, Halima Ibrahim, while she allegedly attempted to escape with two AK-47 rifle magazines.
A subsequent cordon-and-search operation at her residence in Kisayi B Village uncovered one AK-47 rifle, a locally fabricated revolver, a military jungle hat and three mobile phones.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the AK-47 rifle allegedly belonged to her husband, identified as Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, troops working with the Edo State Security Corps rescued a kidnapped victim after ambushing suspected kidnappers along the Afawosa–Iyora Road in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The troops had established an ambush at Powerline Uzairue when they spotted the suspected kidnappers moving with their victim. An ensuing engagement forced the criminals to abandon the victim and flee.
The rescued victim, identified as 35-year-old Mohammed Oboarekpe, told troops he had been abducted from his residence in South Ibie on August 20, 2026.
The Nigerian Army said the operations underscored its continued commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes.
The Army also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations and strengthen security across communities.
