By Uzair Adam
The Nigerian Army has achieved a significant breakthrough with the arrest of a notorious terrorist and violent extremist leader, Idris Idris, popularly known as Babawo Badoo.
The operation, which also led to the capture of 37 other criminal suspects, was part of a series of coordinated raids across different parts of the country.
According to a source at the Army Headquarters, the operations also resulted in the rescue of 15 kidnapped victims.
The source added that two terrorists were neutralised during the encounters, while troops recovered assorted weapons, ammunition, and logistics materials from multiple theatres of operation.
Babawo Badoo, believed to be behind several deadly attacks and abductions in the North-Central region, was arrested on October 20 by troops of Operation Enduring Peace at Lugere Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He was apprehended following credible intelligence that led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a mobile phone, and N12,000 cash.
In another operation, troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace, working with the Nigeria Police and the Civilian Joint Task Force, raided a criminal hideout at Saya Village in Bassa Local Government Area, arresting 19 suspects who are now under investigation.
Meanwhile, troops of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have killed two suspected kidnappers and rescued two abducted victims in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, covered Kukawa, Shuwaka, Ganjuwa, and Tunga villages after the abduction of two individuals, Muhammadu Sani and Ibrahim Manman, along the Wanka–Dengi road.
Acting on intelligence, troops cordoned off the area and engaged the suspects on the outskirts of Tunga village.
According to a statement by Major Samson Zhakom, Media Information Officer of the JTF Operation Enduring Peace, the criminals opened fire on the troops, who responded with superior firepower, killing two of the suspects while others fled with gunshot wounds.
A search of the hideout led to the recovery of one pump-action gun, a locally fabricated rifle, eight cartridges, and other items used for their operations.
The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families after undergoing standard security checks.
Major Zhakom reaffirmed the Joint Task Force’s commitment to intensifying operations to dismantle criminal networks and safeguard lives and property across the region.