By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian military has recorded a significant breakthrough in its internal security operations with the arrest of a notorious wanted bandit, Adamu Buba, also known as ‘Mai Pankshin’, along with 13 members of his gang.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the arrest on Friday, noting that the suspects were behind numerous deadly attacks and criminal operations across Plateau and Kaduna States.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, the arrests were carried out by troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) during coordinated raids on terror cells and criminal hideouts in Plateau’s Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa, and Jos North Local Government Areas (LGAs), as well as Jaba and Zangon Kataf LGAs in Kaduna State.
Arms, ammunition, and motorcycles were recovered during the operation. Interrogations of the suspects are currently underway.
In a related effort, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of OPSH, Major General Foluso Oyinlola, on August 17, handed over 220 assorted weapons and 1,874 rounds of ammunition—seized from criminal groups—to the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Jos, Plateau State.
Between August 13 and 20, the Armed Forces conducted a series of successful operations across various regions:
In Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Kogi States, troops neutralised several terrorists, arrested suspects—including a suspected gunrunner—and rescued kidnapped victims. Operations also extended into the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
In Borno and Yobe States, combined ground and air strikes targeted Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds in Monguno, Gwoza, Konduga, Damboa, and Bama LGAs. Several terrorists were killed, nine collaborators arrested, and three kidnapped victims rescued. Troops also recovered arms, IEDs, motorcycles, and ₦191,700 in cash.
In Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Niger States, troops killed terrorists, rescued 46 kidnapped victims, and arrested 11 suspects during clearance operations.
Security forces foiled oil theft valued at over ₦25 million, dismantled eight illegal refineries, and arrested 33 suspects. Seized items included weapons, crude oil, tricycles, and boats across the Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States.
Troops confronted suspected IPOB/ESN operatives in Imo, Abia, and Anambra States, recovering arms and making several arrests. In a joint operation with NAPTIP, soldiers also rescued nine pregnant women, seven infants, and four children from an illegal orphanage in Owerri West LGA.
Speaking on the sustained gains, Major General Kangye praised the efforts of troops and growing public cooperation.
“These achievements reflect the unwavering resolve of the Armed Forces to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and restore peace nationwide,” he said. “Our successes are already encouraging farming and economic activity across formerly troubled regions.”
He called on citizens to continue supporting the military through credible information and community engagement..
