Military has recorded a major breakthrough in its internal security operations with the arrest of a notorious wanted bandit, Adamu Buba, also known as ‘Mai Pankshin’, alongside 13 members of his gang.
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, announced the development yesterday, disclosing that the suspects were responsible for a series of deadly attacks and criminal activities across Plateau and Kaduna States.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Markus Kangye, the arrests were made by troops of Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, during coordinated operations targeting terrorist cells and criminal hideouts in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa and Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State, as well as Jaba and Zangon Kataf Local Government Areas in Kaduna State.
Recovered from the gang were arms, ammunition and motorcycles. Interrogations are ongoing.
In a related operation, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 3 Division and Commander, OPSH, Major-General Foluso Oyinlola, on August 17, handed over 220 assorted weapons and 1,874 rounds of ammunition—all recovered from criminal elements—to the director-general, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, in Jos, Plateau State.
Between August 13-20, troops conducted a series of operations in multiple theatres under various task forces.
Key highlights include:
North Central & North West: In Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Kogi States, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized terrorists, arrested suspects including a gunrunner and rescued kidnapped victims. Operations extended to Bwari Area Council in the FCT.
North East – Operation Hadin Kai: In Borno and Yobe States, combined ground and air operations targeted Boko Haram and ISWAP hideouts in locations including Monguno, Gwoza, Konduga, Damboa, and Bama Local Government Areas.
Several terrorists were neutralized, nine collaborators arrested and three kidnapped victims rescued.
Arms, ammunition, IEDs, motorcycles and ₦191,700 cash were recovered.
North West – Operation Fagge Yamma: In Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States, troops killed terrorists, rescued 46 kidnapped victims and arrested 11 suspects.
Similar success was recorded in Niger State.
Niger Delta – Operation Delta Safe: Troops foiled oil theft worth over ₦25 million, dismantled eight illegal refinery sites and arrested 33 suspects.
Weapons, crude oil, tricycles and boats were seized across Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.
South East – Operation Udoka: Troops engaged suspected IPOB/ESN elements in Imo, Abia and Anambra States, recovering weapons and arresting suspects.
In a joint operation with NAPTIP, troops rescued nine pregnant women, seven infants and four children from an illegal orphanage in Owerri West Local Government Area.
Major-General Kangye emphasized that the armed forces remain committed to restoring peace and security nationwide.
“These achievements reflect the unwavering resolve of the armed forces to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria,” he said.
He added that recent successes are encouraging farming activities and community stability. “We appreciate the growing cooperation of local communities and urge citizens to continue to support security operations.”
