The Nigerian military has arrested a wanted bandit leader, Adamu Buba, widely known as Mai Pankshin, along with 13 members of his gang.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the development on Friday, stating that the group was responsible for several deadly attacks and other crimes in Plateau and Kaduna States.
Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, said troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) conducted coordinated raids on terrorist camps and criminal hideouts across Plateau’s Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa, and Jos North LGAs, as well as Jaba and Zangon Kataf in Kaduna.
During the operation, troops recovered guns, ammunition, and motorcycles from the suspects. Interrogations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, on August 17, 2025, OPSH Commander Major General Foluso Oyinlola handed over 220 assorted weapons and 1,874 rounds of ammunition seized from criminals to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Jos, Plateau State.
The military also detailed wider counterterrorism operations carried out across the country between August 13 and 20 under various task forces.
In the North Central and North West, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted raids in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, and the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, where they neutralized terrorists, arrested suspects including a gunrunner, and rescued kidnapped victims.
In the North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, ground and air offensives in Borno and Yobe targeted Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds in Monguno, Gwoza, Konduga, Damboa, and Bama. Several terrorists were killed, nine collaborators arrested, and three kidnapped victims rescued. Troops also seized weapons, ammunition, IEDs, motorcycles, and ₦191,700 cash.
In the North West, under Operation Fagge Yamma, troops recorded further successes in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto States, killing terrorists, rescuing 46 kidnapped victims, and arresting 11 suspects.