Nigerian Army arrests bandit-linked female supplier, neutralises insurgents, seizes arms, stolen vehicle, and petroleum in nationwide operations.
The Nigerian Army has reported significant successes over the weekend in its nationwide efforts to combat terrorism and organized criminal activities.
Among the highlights is the arrest of a notorious female logistics supplier linked to Zamfara bandit kingpin, Ado Aliero, marking a key breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry.
According Vanguard, the arrest was carried out by troops of the 1 Brigade in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) at Kucheri in Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State.
The suspect was found in possession of ₦37,000, a mobile phone, and other items.
She reportedly confessed not only to supplying bandits but also to involvement in drug trafficking, underscoring the multifaceted criminal networks the Army is targeting.
Elsewhere, in Borno State, troops from the 192 Battalion, working alongside the Hybrid Force, engaged Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ansarul Sunnah (JAS) fighters near Kwatara Kasa Village along the Gwoza–Limankara Road.
In the encounter, one insurgent was neutralised while others retreated into the Mandara Mountains, highlighting the ongoing challenges of insurgent mobility in the region.
In Adamawa State, the 232 Battalion intercepted two suspected petroleum smugglers in Mubi South Local Government Area, recovering 19 jerrycans of illicit petroleum products.
The operation demonstrates the Army’s commitment to curbing illegal trade that funds criminal networks.
Meanwhile, in the Federal Capital Territory, troops from the 176 Guards Battalion successfully conducted a snap checkpoint operation that led to the interception of a stolen vehicle traced from Osun State.
Although the suspects initially fled, they were later located in a hotel in Gwagwalada, where three individuals were arrested.
The recovered items—including the vehicle, 11 mobile phones, and ₦29,700—were handed over to the police along with the suspects, effectively disrupting another criminal supply chain.
Plateau State also witnessed a notable operational success under Operation Enduring Peace.
Intelligence obtained from a previously arrested informant in Dadin Kowa guided troops to a hidden cache of arms in Mista Ali Village, Bassa Local Government Area.
During the operation, a suspect attempted to flee but was neutralised, and two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the site, further weakening armed criminal elements in the region.
Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, stated that these coordinated operations demonstrate the Army’s unwavering determination to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt supply chains, and deny criminal groups the capacity to operate.
She emphasized that the heightened operational tempo would be maintained to enhance security in rural communities and support agricultural activities, in line with the Federal Government’s broader commitment to national food security.