Military Strikes Back: ISWAP’s Base Expansion Plot In Plateau And Bauchi Exposed, Arrests Made

The discovery was made after a successful sting operation that led to the arrest of two suspected ISWAP members. According to OPSH’s media officer, Major Samson Zhakom, the arrests took place on April 11 in the Yelwa area of Shendam Local Government Area, Plateau State.

The suspects, 25-year-olds Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, were reportedly posing as tailors while secretly working to expand ISWAP’s presence in the North-Central region. Preliminary investigations revealed that they had been dispatched by an ISWAP commander to set up new cells in Plateau and Bauchi.

“This is a significant breakthrough, as it exposes ISWAP’s intention to infiltrate and establish operational bases within the North-Central region of Nigeria,” the OPSH statement read.

In a separate operation, troops from Sector 4 of OPSH raided a hideout in Mazat village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, in search of a wanted criminal. Although the suspect escaped before the troops arrived, the soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and other materials buried at the location.

This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal networks operating in Plateau State.

Additionally, troops from Sector 2, acting on reliable intelligence, ambushed bandits along the Pinau-Bangalala road in Wase Local Government Area. The ambush led to the neutralization of one bandit, while others fled with injuries.

The military continues to target bandits and criminal elements in the region as part of its efforts to restore peace and security.

On the same day, a tragic attack occurred in the Zogu community, Miango District, Bassa Local Government Area. Terrorists launched an early morning assault, killing Weyi Gebeh, aged 56, and his two sons, Zhu (25) and Henry (16). The Irigwe Development Association (IDA) condemned the attack, with spokesman Jugo remarking that the killings suggest a more sinister motive beyond mere reprisal for alleged wrongs.