The Nigerian Army has recorded a series of major operational successes across different theatres, arresting a notorious terror kingpin, Idris Idris, popularly known as ‘Babawo Badoo’, alongside 37 other criminal suspects, and killing over 50 terrorists in separate gunfights in Borno and Yobe states.
A reliable Army Headquarters source disclosed that the high-profile arrest of Babawo Badoo was carried out by troops of ‘Operation Enduring Peace’ on October 20 at Lugere Village in Barkin-Ladi local government area of Plateau State. The operation, conducted following credible intelligence, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a mobile phone, and ₦12,000.
According to the source, Badoo, who has long been on the military’s wanted list, is believed to be behind a series of deadly attacks and abductions in the North-Central region.
In related coordinated operations, troops arrested 37 other suspects across several states, rescued 15 kidnapped victims, and recovered assorted weapons, ammunition, and logistics items. Two terrorists were neutralised during separate clearance operations, while several victims escaped from terrorist enclaves in Kukawa, Borno State, following sustained military bombardments.
The Nigerian Army further revealed that troops of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’ and ‘Operation Enduring Peace’ intensified clearance operations in Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, leading to multiple arrests and rescues. Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Imo State also apprehended a suspected IPOB/ESN member found in possession of a locally made pistol and live cartridges.
Similarly, in the Federal Capital Territory, troops of the 7 Guards Battalion intercepted five illegal immigrants of Chadian, Cameroonian, and Nigerien origin, while separate operations in Kwara, Katsina, and Plateau States resulted in the rescue of 10 kidnapped victims.
Meanwhile, in the North-East theatre, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), neutralised over 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military positions in Borno and Yobe States.
Brig.-Gen. Sani Uba, Spokesman for the Joint Task Force (JTF) North-East, said the simultaneous assaults on military locations in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko were repelled between midnight and 4 a.m. yesterday. He said the ground and air operations, backed by precision air strikes, dealt a devastating blow to the terrorists.
“In all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive, and bloody blow”, Uba stated.
He added that 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of rounds of assorted ammunition were recovered during the engagements. Intelligence reports indicated that the attackers who struck Dikwa and Gajibo advanced from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko came from the Timbuktu Triangle, a known terrorist enclave.
Uba confirmed that more than 70 wounded terrorists were being trailed by ground forces, with air support maintaining close surveillance to ensure total clearance of the fleeing remnants. He noted that while some troops sustained injuries, they were in stable condition, and all military locations remained under firm control despite RPG and drone strikes that caused fires in Dikwa and Mafa.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry, professionalism, and operational efficiency, urging them to sustain the momentum.
“The Nigerian Army remains fully committed to creating a secure environment that will enable economic recovery, boost agricultural productivity, and advance the Federal Government’s goal of ensuring food security and national stability”, he stated.
