In a major breakthrough, the Nigerian Army have arrested a wanted notorious violent extremist and insurgent leader identified as Idris Idris (aka Babawo Badoo), alongside 37 other criminal suspects, during coordinated operations across the country. The operations also led to the rescue of 15 kidnapped victims, neutralization of 2 terrorists and recovery of assorted weapons, ammunition and logistics items.
Nigerian Army Intensifies Counter-Terrorism Operations
The high-profile suspect, Babawo Badoo was arrested on 20 October 2025 by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE at Lugere Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops 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 ₦12,000. The successful operation dealt a major blow to the network of violent extremists operating in the North Central region.
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. A total of 19 suspects were arrested and are undergoing further investigation.
Across other theatres of operation, troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, in collaboration with the Department of State Services, 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 neutralized two terrorists at Ngirbuwa Village in Gujba Local Government Area, recovering one AK-47 rifle with three magazines.
In further operations, troops arrested six suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Borno and Yobe States. Items recovered included 33 petrol-filled with 25 litres of jerrycans, 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.
Elsewhere, troops of Operations WHIRL STROKE and ENDURING PEACE in Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States intensified clearance operations, arresting several violent extremist informants and recovering locally fabricated weapons. In Imo State, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade apprehended a suspected IPOB/ESN member in possession of a locally made pistol and live cartridges, while 7 Guards Battalion troops in the Federal Capital Territory intercepted five illegal immigrants of Chadian, Cameroonian and Nigerien origin.
Troops also rescued four kidnapped victims in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, five in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State and another during a swift response to a distress call in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. In Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State, troops rescued two injured civilians attacked by unidentified criminals and evacuated them to a nearby hospital.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede while commending the troops resilience, operational efficiency and dedication also urged them to sustain the momentum in the ongoing efforts to rid the nation of all forms of criminality.
The Nigerian Army remain committed to creating a safer environment that will boost economic and agricultural activities in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to food security.
