Army Arrests 20 Suspects, Rescues Nine Kidnap Victims in Coordinated Raids

By: Sunday Ameh

The Nigerian Army has arrested no fewer than 20 suspects and rescued nine abducted victims during coordinated operations across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions of the country.

The Army disclosed this in a statement shared on its official Facebook page on Sunday, noting that troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other items linked to criminal activities.

According to the statement, the operations were carried out within 24 hours as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks nationwide.

“Within the last 24 hours, troops have carried out coordinated offensives that led to the arrest of 20 key suspects, recovery of an AK-47 rifle with specialised ammunition, and the rescue of nine kidnapped victims,” the statement read.

The Army said the simultaneous offensives significantly disrupted insurgent activities by weakening their logistics and operational capacity.

In the North-East, troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade conducted targeted raids in Borno State, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects, including individuals allegedly linked to a notorious kidnapper identified as Baba Ali.

It added that materials suspected to be used for the production of improvised explosive devices, including bags of fertiliser, were recovered, while fleeing insurgents abandoned bicycles and other logistics in Marte Local Government Area.

In the North-West, troops operating in Kaduna State rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered rustled livestock after engaging armed groups at Lahin Dan Auta. The victims were subsequently reunited with their families.

Similarly, in the North-Central region, troops carried out operations in Benue State. A raid in Gwer West Local Government Area led to the rescue of six abducted persons and the arrest of a suspected trafficker.

The Army further disclosed that a separate patrol in Guma Local Government Area resulted in the arrest of three suspected terrorists, alongside the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 27 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Army urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies.