Abuja, Nigeria — Troops of the Nigerian Army, in joint operations with the Navy, DSS, Police and Hybrid Forces, have eliminated notorious terrorist leader Kachalla Maidawa and 35 other insurgents in coordinated missions conducted Sept. 29–Oct. 4, a credible Army Headquarters source told NAN.
In Kogi State, Operation Egwu Eke Atite III foiled a planned attack on Isanlu, Yagba West LGA, overpowering assailants and killing over a dozen terrorists, including Maidawa—long blamed for violent raids across Kogi and parts of Kwara. Recovered items include an AK‑47, 400 rounds of assorted ammunition, four motorcycles, three Dane guns, a fragmentation jacket, and mobile phones.
In Kebbi, 1 Brigade ambushed terrorists along the Salka–Kinke–Makurdi road (Ngaski LGA), killing two, rescuing eight victims, and seizing seven AK‑47 magazines, 180 rounds of 7.62mm, and two motorcycles.
In Kaduna, the 11 Field Engineer Regiment and CSI Battalion disrupted a ₦3 million ransom delivery involving brand‑new motorcycles for terrorists in Giwa and Birnin Gwari LGAs, rescued five hostages, and later caught two suspected kidnappers at Damakasuwa checkpoint (Zangon Kataf) with ₦1.3 million. A follow‑up raid neutralised two fleeing accomplices.
Operations in the North‑East saw 151 Task Force Battalion ambush and kill five ISWAP/JAS terrorists at Dipchari (Bama, Borno), while troops of 3 Battalion and 24 TF Brigade intercepted logistics and drug suppliers along the Gamboru–Wulgo road. A sting operation in Monguno netted 12 arrests, including a terrorist tax collector.
In the South‑East, 34 Artillery Brigade (Op Udo Ka) raided IPOB/ESN hideouts in Abia and Imo, arresting suspects linked to the abduction and murder of the Vice‑Chancellor of Federal Polytechnic, Afikpo. One ESN fighter was neutralised; an AK‑47, two magazines and 14 rounds were recovered.
Under Operation Delta Safe in the South‑South, troops dismantled illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa, recovering 2,000+ litres of stolen crude; 14 drug peddlers were arrested with NDLEA support.
The source said the offensives underscore the Army’s intelligence‑led precision and commitment to restoring peace, protecting citizens, and enabling agriculture and commerce in support of the Federal Government’s food‑security goals.
