Troops gun down notorious terrorist kingpin Kachalla Maidawa, 35 others

In a major victory for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully neutralised Kachalla Maidawa, a notorious terrorist kingpin long on the wanted list of security agencies.

The operation also led to the elimination of 35 other insurgents and the arrest of 32 suspected terrorists across multiple locations.

During the operations, troops rescued 22 kidnapped victims and recovered a cache of weapons and logistics items, including three AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 780 rounds of assorted ammunition, four motorcycles, three Dane guns, a fragmentation jacket, several mobile phones, and other essential supplies.

According to insider military sources, the series of coordinated operations were carried out between September 29 and October 4, 2025, resulting in significant gains for the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

He said troops in joint collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, DSS, Police and Hybrid Forces, thwarted terrorist planned attack at Isanlu, Yagba West LGA, adding that during the fierce firefight, troops overpowered the extremists, neutralizing over 12 terrorists, including the dreaded Kachalla Maidawa, who had long terrorised communities across Kogi East and Kwara State.

In Kebbi State, troops of 1 Brigade ambushed terrorists along the Salka–Kinke–Makurdi road in Ngaski LGA, killing two terrorists and rescuing eight kidnapped victims.

The troops also recovered seven AK-47 magazines, 180 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.

Similarly, in Kaduna State, troops intercepted several criminal activities, including a ₦3 million ransom delivery attempt involving brand-new motorcycles meant for terrorists.

The troops rescued the five kidnapped victims and neutralised several fleeing bandits during the operations in Giwa and Birnin Gwari LGAs.

In a related development, two suspected kidnappers were intercepted at Damakasuwa checkpoint in Zangon Kataf LGA with ₦1.3 million, while follow-up operations led to the neutralisation of two other members of the syndicate who tried to escape during arrest.

Accordingly, in the North East, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion laid ambush at Dipchari in Bama LGA of Borno State, neutralizing five ISWAP/JAS terrorists.

In similar vein, troops of 3 Battalion and 24 Task Force Brigade arrested suspected ISWAP logistics and drug suppliers along the Gamboru–Wulgo road, recovering illicit items.

Furthermore, troops in another operation in Monguno arrested 12 suspects, including a terrorist tax collector, effectively crippling elements of the terrorist intelligence network in the region.

In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA raided IPOB/ESN hideouts in Abia and Imo states, arrested several suspects, including one involved in the abduction and murder of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal Polytechnic, Afikpo.

Troops also neutralized a notorious foot soldier of an IPOB/ESN commander and recovered one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition.

In the South South troops of Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered and destroyed multiple illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa states, recovering over 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil.

The troops also arrested 14 drug peddlers in conjunction with the NDLEA.

In a related development, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized an armed suspect in Benue State and rescued six kidnapped victims in Taraba State.

The troops also arrested arms suppliers and suspected collaborators in Sokoto and Kano States.