• Army dismisses reports of bandits overrunning troops in Kwara
The Nigerian Army has killed a notorious terrorist kingpin, Kachalla Maidawa, along with 35 other insurgents in a series of coordinated operations conducted across the country between September 29 and October 4, 2025.
The operations also led to the arrest of 32 criminal suspects, the rescue of 22 kidnapped victims, and the recovery of a substantial cache of arms, ammunition and logistics supplies.
In Kogi State, troops under Operation Egwu Eke Atite III, working with the Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), Police and hybrid forces, foiled a planned terrorist attack in Isanlu, Yagba West Local Council.
During a fierce gun battle, troops overpowered the extremists, killing more than 12, including Maidawa, who had long terrorised communities in Kogi East and Kwara State.
Recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, 400 rounds of mixed ammunition, four motorcycles, three Dane guns, a fragmentation jacket, mobile phones and other materials.
In Kebbi State, troops of 1 Brigade ambushed terrorists along the Salka–Kinke–Makurdi road in Ngaski Local Council, killing two terrorists and rescuing eight kidnapped victims. They also seized seven AK-47 magazines, 180 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.
Similarly, in Kaduna State, troops of the 11 Field Engineer Regiment and CSI Battalion intercepted several criminal activities, including a N3 million ransom delivery attempt involving brand-new motorcycles meant for terrorists. Troops rescued five kidnapped victims and killed several fleeing bandits during operations in Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Councils.
Two suspected kidnappers were also arrested at the Damakasuwa checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Council with N1.3 million. Follow-up operations led to the killing of two other members of the syndicate who attempted to escape during arrest.
In the North-East, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion ambushed and killed five ISWAP/JAS terrorists at Dipchari in Bama Local Council of Borno State. Troops of 3 Battalion and 24 Task Force Brigade also arrested suspected ISWAP logistics and drug suppliers along the Gamboru–Wulgo road and recovered illicit items. Another operation in Monguno led to the arrest of 12 suspects, including a terrorist tax collector, crippling elements of the terrorist intelligence network in the region.
Meanwhile, the Army has dismissed as false a recent online report claiming that bandits overran troops and carted away six General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and over 30,000 rounds of ammunition in Obanla, Kwara State.
Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, said in a statement that troops of 148 Battalion (Rear), conducting clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara states, “have continued to record significant operational successes.”
According to him, the troops mounted a strong blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border, where they killed two armed bandits and recovered two brand-new AK-47 rifles.
“At no time were Army positions overrun, nor was any cache of weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements, as mischievously reported by the online platform,” he said. “The publication is a fabrication designed to mislead the public and undermine the morale of gallant troops diligently working to restore peace and stability in the region.”
He urged the public to disregard the false report and “continue to support the military with timely and credible information that would aid ongoing operations.”
“The Nigerian Army also reiterates its readiness to sustain the tempo of operations until all criminal networks in Kogi, Kwara, and surrounding states are dismantled,” Okoye added.
