By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other items in Plateau State, while a separate operation in Edo State led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim.
The Army disclosed that troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, working with vigilantes and local hunters, conducted an intelligence-led 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 settlements fled into the surrounding bush on sighting the troops, but a 30-year-old woman, identified as Halima Ibrahim, was apprehended while attempting to escape with two AK-47 rifle magazines.
A subsequent cordon-and-search operation at her residence in Kisayi B Village led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated revolver, one military jungle hat and three mobile phones.
Preliminary investigation, the Army said, indicated that the recovered AK-47 rifle allegedly belonged to the suspect’s husband, identified as Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, troops, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, rescued a 35-year-old kidnap victim after laying an ambush at Powerline Uzairue along the Afawosa-Iyora Road in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly sighted suspected kidnappers moving with their victim while positioned at the ambush location and engaged the criminals, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee.
The rescued victim, Mohammed Oboarekpe, told the troops that he had been abducted from his residence in South Ibie on August 20, 2026.
The Nigerian Army said it remained committed to dismantling criminal networks involved in kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes, adding that troops would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local security stakeholders.
The Army also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to enhance security across the country.