The Nigerian Army has achieved a significant victory with the arrest of a wanted terrorist and extremist leader, Idris Idris, popularly known as Babawo Badoo.
According to sources at the Army Headquarters, the capture of Badoo—who had long been on the military’s radar—was part of a series of coordinated operations that also led to the arrest of 37 other criminal suspects and the rescue of 15 kidnapped victims across various parts of the country.
The source revealed that two terrorists were killed during the operations, while several weapons, ammunition, and logistics supplies were recovered from different theatres of operation.
Badoo, described as a notorious insurgent behind multiple deadly attacks and abductions in the North-Central region, was arrested on October 20 by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE at Lugere Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the troops stormed his hideout and apprehended him,” the source said. “An AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a mobile phone, and ₦12,000 cash were recovered from him.”
Troops from Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace, working alongside the Nigeria Police and Civilian Joint Task Force, also raided a criminal camp at Saya Village in Bassa Local Government Area, arresting 19 suspects who are now under investigation.
Meanwhile, troops from the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), neutralised two suspected kidnappers and rescued two abducted persons during a coordinated operation in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, covered Kukawa, Shuwaka, Ganjuwa, and Tunga villages following the abduction of two victims — Muhammadu Sani and Ibrahim Manman — along the Wanka-Dengi road.
According to a statement by Major Samson Zhakom, the Media Information Officer for JTF Operation Enduring Peace, the troops acted swiftly on intelligence, surrounded the area, and engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle.
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“The criminals opened fire on the troops, who responded with superior firepower, neutralising two of the suspects while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” Zhakom stated.
A search of the hideout led to the recovery of a pump-action gun, a locally made rifle, eight cartridges, and other items used in their criminal operations. The rescued victims were safely reunited with their families after standard security checks.
Major Zhakom reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area, emphasizing that the military will not relent until peace and security are fully restored.
