The Nigerian Army has recorded a major success in its ongoing campaign against terrorism and violent extremism with the arrest of a notorious insurgent leader, Idris Idris, popularly known as Babawo Badoo, alongside 37 other criminal suspects during coordinated operations across the country.
According to a top source at the Army Headquarters who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, the operations also led to the rescue of 15 kidnapped victims and the recovery of several weapons, ammunition, and logistics items.
The source described Babawo Badoo as the mastermind behind numerous deadly attacks and abductions across the North Central region.
“He was arrested on October 20 by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE at Lugere Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The arrest followed credible intelligence that led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a mobile phone, and ₦12,000,” the source revealed.
Troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE, working with the Nigerian Police and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, also raided a criminal hideout at Saya Village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, leading to the arrest of 19 additional suspects currently under investigation.
In the North East, troops under Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), apprehended an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah (JAS) terrorist informant who allegedly served as a ransom collector in Borno State.
“Troops also ambushed and neutralised two terrorists at Ngirbuwa Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and three magazines,” the source added.
The Army also confirmed the arrest of six suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Borno and Yobe States. Items recovered included 33 jerrycans of petrol, food supplies, mobile phones, and fake identification cards of the Lake Chad Fishermen Association used to conceal illicit activities.
Several victims who escaped from terrorist enclaves in Kukawa, Borno State, were reportedly rescued during intensified air and ground bombardments and have since received medical attention.
In separate operations across Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, troops of Operations WHIRL STROKE and ENDURING PEACE intensified clearance missions targeting bandit camps and criminal hideouts.
“Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Imo State also arrested a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), found with a locally made pistol and live cartridges,” the source said.
Meanwhile, troops of the 7 Guards Battalion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) intercepted five illegal immigrants of Chadian, Cameroonian, and Nigerien origin, while ten kidnapped victims were rescued in separate incidents in Kwara, Katsina, and Plateau States.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their operational efficiency and professionalism, urging them to sustain the momentum in the fight against criminal elements nationwide.