Troops neutralize terrorist kingpin Mai Dada in Zamfara, recover arms

The Nigerian Army has recorded another major breakthrough in its ongoing counterterrorism operations, with troops from 1 Brigade successfully eliminating a notorious terrorist leader, Mai Dada, during a daring mission in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The operation, which took place between June 25 and 26, was part of a coordinated offensive aimed at dismantling criminal enclaves in the region. According to a source directly involved in the mission, the operation also led to the arrest of several suspects believed to be linked to Mai Dada’s network.

Mai Dada was reportedly responsible for multiple attacks, kidnappings, and extortion schemes that had long terrorized communities in Zamfara and neighboring states.

In a separate development, troops from the 2 Battalion, while on escort duty in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, intercepted armed assailants fleeing on a motorcycle. During the confrontation, the soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition—a clear indication of the dangers still lurking along Nigeria’s volatile security corridors.

The source disclosed that multiple operations nationwide have resulted in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of over 1,000 weapons and rounds of ammunition.

In the North East, personnel from the 82 Division Task Force Battalion retrieved a cache of weapons while patrolling the perimeter in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA of Borno. The haul included 408 rounds of 12.7mm, 1,200 rounds of 7.62mm, and two 40mm RPG bombs — all found along a known ISWAP/JAS withdrawal route.

Additionally, troops from the 21 Special Armoured Brigade reportedly killed three insurgents during a raid in Bama LGA, seizing a Dane gun and demolishing several makeshift terrorist shelters.

Troops in Monguno intercepted a vehicle suspected of transporting supplies for terrorist use.

“One suspect was arrested, and recovered items included 65 litres of PMS, four bags of rice, five bags of groundnuts, four bags of NPK fertilizer, tubers of yam, seven motorcycle headlights, 10 solar lights, 2,000 empty cement bags, four solar panels and one mobile phone,” the source said.

In Plateau State, forces under Operation Safe Haven executed raids in several villages — Tangur, Kwakas, Horop, Tulus, Jinak, and Hokk — within Bokkos LGA.

“Troops exploited the mountainous areas in the communities with the aid of UAV drone and recovered one Dane gun abandoned by the criminals on sighting troops,” the source added.

Elsewhere, Operation Whirl Stroke troops rescued five civilians and recovered a vehicle along the Peykia–Wukari road in Ukum LGA, Benue State.

In southern operations, troops of the 5 Battalion stationed in Otueke, Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa, detained two individuals carrying two locally fabricated pistols and a single 9mm round.

Meanwhile, in Edo State’s Etsako Central LGA, troops apprehended a suspect in possession of a pump-action shotgun and cutlasses.