Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity with the arrest of a notorious bandit leader and a suspected gunrunner during coordinated operations in Taraba and Plateau states.
Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Olubodunde Oni, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Sunday, describing them as a result of well-planned intelligence operations.
“On 20 March 2025, troops apprehended a suspected member of a high-profile gunrunning syndicate in Donga Local Government Area,” Oni said.
“Acting on actionable intelligence from a reliable informant, troops laid an ambush and successfully arrested Alhaji Mansur Mohammad in possession of ₦1,200,000, intended for the illegal procurement of arms. Preliminary investigations revealed that the funds were traced back to sponsors in Bauchi State.”
The military also captured Adamu Yakubu, a suspected bandit leader known as “No Money No Guy,” allegedly responsible for multiple violent attacks, including a deadly assault on Tse-Shiikaa village in Benue State, where two people were killed.
“Intelligence reports linked the suspect to several cases of banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and violent crimes across Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State and Southern Taraba,” Oni said.
“Notably, the suspect and six of his associates were allegedly involved in a brutal attack on 10 March 2025 at Tse-Shiikaa village in Katsina-Ala LGA, where two persons were killed, one sustained life-threatening injuries, and others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot and machete wounds.”
During the operation, troops raided criminal hideouts, recovering weapons, motorcycles, and other items linked to the syndicate.
A clearance operation in Achalle, a border community between Taraba and Plateau states, saw troops engage bandits in combat before overrunning their stronghold and setting it ablaze.
“In a related development, on 16 March 2025, based on credible intelligence, troops raided the residence of two notorious gunrunners, identified as Irimiya Aboki and Tanko Adamu (aka Arewa Mafia) in Mararaba Donga, Taraba State. Although the suspects evaded arrest, a thorough search of their residence led to the recovery of four pistols, one pump-action rifle, and six cartridges,” Oni added.
Commander of the 6 Brigade, Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their commitment, assuring residents that security forces would sustain the offensive against criminal elements.
He urged the public to provide useful intelligence to support ongoing efforts to restore peace in the region.
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