Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a significant escalation of Nigeria's counter-terrorism campaign, troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major operational successes in Plateau and Kebbi states, neutralizing six suspected terrorists, foiling a midnight attack on a strategic national institution, and dismantling an illegal arms manufacturing syndicate supplying weapons to criminal groups across the North-West. The coordinated intelligence-led operations, conducted between June 26 and July 2, 2026, dealt a heavy blow to criminal networks operating in the North-Central and North-West regions.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace intensified offensive operations against terrorist elements across Jos South, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos Local Government Areas, neutralizing several suspected terrorists and arresting a suspected gunrunner. The military said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves, disrupt criminal networks, and restore lasting peace within the Joint Operations Area.
The first major encounter occurred on June 26, 2026, when troops of Sector 6 launched an operation at Gero Highground in Jos South Local Government Area following intelligence reports of terrorist activities in the area. As troops approached the suspected hideout, they came under heavy gunfire from terrorists who allegedly used livestock as a shield during the encounter. Rather than retreat, the soldiers held their position and called for reinforcements. The timely arrival of additional personnel forced the terrorists to withdraw from the engagement area, after which troops launched a hot pursuit, neutralising some of the fleeing suspects while others escaped into nearby bushes.
On the same day, troops of Sector 5 deployed at Maijanki intercepted a motorcycle conveying two passengers travelling from Kuba District in Bokkos Local Government Area towards Barkin Ladi. On sighting the military checkpoint, the two passengers threw away a bag and fled into the surrounding bush, leaving behind the motorcycle rider. A thorough search of the abandoned bag led to the discovery of three locally fabricated rifles. The motorcycle rider was arrested and, during preliminary interrogation, claimed he had picked up the fleeing passengers from Kuba without knowledge of their intended destination or mission.
In another successful operation carried out on June 30, troops acting on credible intelligence concerning the gathering of suspected terrorists within the Rafin Bauna and Gero mountains in Jos South Local Government Area laid a successful ambush, resulting in the neutralisation of five suspected terrorists. According to the military's battlefield assessment, corroborated by members of the local community, some of those killed had been on the command's wanted list for allegedly masterminding several deadly attacks in Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.
The latest successes came barely two days after troops stationed at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, repelled an attempted terrorist attack on the institution. The attack occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026, when suspected terrorists breached the institute's perimeter through a low section of the fence under the cover of darkness and opened fire on soldiers on sentry duty. The troops responded swiftly, neutralising one of the attackers while the others escaped with gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among the troops.
Recovered from the neutralised attacker was an AK-pattern rifle bearing registration number CO-3175, loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Preliminary checks confirmed that the weapon belonged to a Nigerian Army soldier who was killed in action during an earlier encounter with unidentified militia elements at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Vom, on April 11, 2026. The recovery of the rifle stolen during the April attack could provide a major lead in ongoing investigations into armed militia activities in the Kuru-Vom axis, suggesting possible links between recent attacks on security personnel in the area.
The incident marks the third attempted attack on the NIPSS facility within weeks, underscoring persistent security concerns around the institution. On June 16, gunmen attacked security personnel guarding the Moderator's Quarters at NIPSS, killing Inspector Peter Joseph of the Force Headquarters Operations Department and two military personnel, escaping with weapons. On June 29, troops and other security agencies foiled another attempted infiltration after detecting suspicious movements around the institute, forcing the suspects to flee into nearby bushes. Military authorities have since reinforced security around NIPSS, with surveillance operations and aggressive patrols ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects.
In a parallel operation in Kebbi State, troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing syndicate, recovering five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arresting two suspected gun makers allegedly supplying weapons to terrorist groups. The operation, carried out on the strength of credible intelligence, targeted a secluded compound reportedly used by the suspects to manufacture and store the firearms away from the attention of security agencies.
The military said the raid was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and stem the proliferation of illicit weapons across the North-West. Confirming the operation in a statement on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the troops acted on credible intelligence to dismantle the network. "Acting on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a carefully planned operation on a secluded compound deliberately concealed by the suspects to evade security detection. During a thorough search of the premises, troops recovered five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arrested two suspected arms manufacturers and suppliers," Danja said.
He noted that the operation was executed in collaboration with other security agencies, describing it as another breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and organised crime in the region. The suspects are currently in military custody undergoing preliminary interrogation, while investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, including their financiers and collaborators.
Military authorities described the raid as a major setback for networks involved in the local production and distribution of weapons to terrorists and bandits. Security agencies have also launched follow-up operations to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle other parts of the illegal arms manufacturing network.
The Theatre Command commended the troops and partner security agencies for their professionalism and urged residents of the North-West to continue supporting security operations with timely and credible intelligence. "Public cooperation remains vital to sustaining ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements and enhance security across the region," the statement added.
Operation Enduring Peace reaffirmed its commitment to denying criminal elements freedom of action within its joint operations area and reassured residents of Plateau State that troops would sustain deliberate offensive operations to safeguard lives and property, dismantle terrorist networks, and restore enduring peace across the state.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments