The Nigerian Army has said that its troops have arrested a wanted notorious insurgent leader identified as Idris Idris (a.k.a Babawo Badoo), alongside 37 other criminal suspects.

 

 

 

In a statement released today October 23, the Nigerian Army, said during the coordinated operations across the country, its troops rescued 15 kidnap victims, neutralised two terrorists and recovered assorted weapons, ammunition and logistics items.

 

 

 

 

 

The statement said the high-profile suspect, Babawo Badoo, was arrested on October 20, 2025, by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE at Lugere Village in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.

 

 

 

 

 

According to the statement, the troops, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the suspect and recovered one AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a mobile phone, and the sum of N12,000.

 

 

 

“The successful operation dealt a major blow to the network of violent extremists operating in the North-Central region,” it said.

 

 

 

In a related development, troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE, in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and Civilian Joint Task Force, raided a suspected criminal hideout at Saya Village in Bassa local government area of Plateau State where 19 suspects were arrested, undergoing further investigation.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, in the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), apprehended an ISWAP/JAS terrorist informant and ransom collector at the Customs IDP Camp in Jere local government area of Borno State.

 

 

 

 

Similarly, troops ambushed and neutralised two terrorists at Ngirbuwa Village in Gujba local government area of the State, recovered one AK-47 rifle with three magazines.

 

 

 

 

In further operations, troops also arrested six suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Borno and Yobe States.

 

 

 

Items recovered from the suspects included 33 petrol-filled with 25 litres of jerry cans, food items, mobile phones and identification cards belonging to the Lake Chad Fishermen Association, used to conceal their criminal activities.

 

 

 

“Troops also rescued several victims who escaped from terrorist enclaves following an intense Military bombardment in Kukawa local government area of Borno State,” it added.