The troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 17 criminal suspects, rescued 31 kidnapped victims and recovered two pump-action guns with five rounds of ammunition across multiple theatres in the last 24 hours.
In a statement issued Sunday, troops of 1 Brigade, Combat Team 5 at FOB Moriki, Zamfara working with local hunters, responded to a distress call regarding the kidnapping of residents at Kadage Village, Maradun LGA.
On sighting the troops, the terrorists abandoned 25 kidnapped victims and fled. The victims were rescued, the area exploited without further contact and all rescued persons were reunited with their families in Moriki Town.
It added that in Delta State, troops of 63 Brigade acting on intelligence arrested a suspected cultist/kidnapper terrorising Ezuokwu Community, Oshimili North LGA, alongside 11 accomplices.
It noted that subsequent raids in Ite-Ego Community led to the arrest of a herbalist and the recovery of two pump-action guns and five cartridges.
It stressed that a suspected drug peddler was apprehended with crystal meth (“ice”), smoking pipes and Indian hemp.
It said all suspects and exhibits are in military custody for further action.
It added: “In Kogi State, troops of 12 Brigade conducted fighting patrols from Obajana and Kabba Patrol Bases to Ankomi Village and Adankolo general area, Lokoja LGA on 1 January 2026, rescuing five kidnapped victims from abandoned settlements.
“During exploitation, two decomposed bodies were discovered; one has been evacuated while efforts continue to recover the other.
“Earlier, on 31 December 2025, the same Brigade responded to reports of a road blockage along Ayere–Kabba Road, Ijumu LGA, engaging suspected violent extremists who fled into the bushes.
“Troops rescued an injured driver, recovered his vehicle, evacuated him to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba and continued to dominate the main supply route with aggressive patrols.”
It revealed that in Kaduna State, troops of Sector 5, Operation Enduring Peace, acting on credible intelligence on 1 January 2026, apprehended one suspected kidnapper at Jagindi Kagom Village, Jema’a LGA.
It stressed that the suspect is in custody for further investigation.
Also, in Nasarawa State, it said troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke on 1 January, 2026 arrested two suspected kidnappers hibernating around Kadarko, Keana LGA and handed them over to the Nigerian Police, Keana Division for prosecution.
It noted; “Similarly, in Taraba State, troops of Sector 3, Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to a kidnapping incident at Abong general area, Kurmi LGA, conducted a search and successfully rescued one kidnapped victim, who has since been reunited with his family.”