Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered an AK-47 rifle and other weapons in Plateau State, while a separate operation in Edo State led to the rescue of a kidnapped victim.

The operations were carried out as the Army intensified intelligence-led efforts to disrupt kidnapping and arms trafficking networks across the country.

In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, working with vigilantes and local hunters, raided Kisayi and Dogon Daji settlements in Bassa Local Government Area.

The operation followed the abduction of Dr Abraham Owoicho on August 19, 2026.

The Army said some occupants fled into the surrounding bushes after sighting the troops.

However, soldiers apprehended a 30-year-old woman, Halima Ibrahim, while she was allegedly attempting to escape with two AK-47 rifle magazines.

A subsequent cordon-and-search operation at her residence in Kisayi B Village led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a locally fabricated revolver, a military jungle hat and three mobile phones.

Preliminary investigations, according to the Army, indicated that the AK-47 rifle allegedly belonged to the woman’s husband, identified as Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, troops working with the Edo State Security Corps rescued a 35-year-old kidnap victim after ambushing suspected kidnappers along the Afawosa–Iyora Road in Etsako West Local Government Area.

The troops had established an ambush at Powerline Uzairue when they spotted suspected kidnappers moving with their victim.

The security operatives engaged the criminals, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee.

The rescued man, identified as Mohammed Oboarekpe, told the troops that he had been abducted from his residence in South Ibie on August 20, 2026.

The Nigerian Army said the latest operations underscored its commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in kidnapping, arms trafficking and other violent crimes.

The Army added that troops would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local security stakeholders to protect communities and deny criminals freedom of action.

It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to improve security across the country.