Troops nab suspected gunrunner in Plateau , rescue 35-year-old man in Edo

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other items in Kisayi and Dogon Daji villages in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, while a 35-year-old man was rescued in Edo State.

This was disclosed by the Nigerian Army in a statement on Friday, stating that the operation was carried out with vigilantes and local hunters conducting an intelligence-led raid on Kisayi and Dogon Daji settlements in Bassa Local Government Area.

It stated that the operation followed the abduction of Dr Abraham Owoicho on Wednesday.

“During the operation, some occupants fled into the surrounding bush on sighting the troops. However, a 30-year-old woman, identified as Halima Ibrahim, was apprehended while attempting to flee with two AK-47 rifle magazines,” it said.

The army said that 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.

According to the statement, the preliminary investigation indicated that the AK-47 rifle allegedly belonged to her husband, identified as Mr Ibrahim.

It added that in a separate operation along the Afawosa-Iyora Road in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, troops, along with security corps, laid an ambush at Powerline Uzairue.

“While at the ambush position, troops sighted suspected kidnappers moving with their victim and engaged them, forcing the criminals to abandon the victim, a 35-year-old Mohammed Oboarekpe, who disclosed that he had been abducted from his residence in South Ibie on 20 August 2026,” it noted.