The Nigerian Army has arrested 27 suspected illegal miners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neutralised three terrorists during coordinated military operations carried out across the country over the last 24 hours, a credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The arrests took place at an illegal mining site in Iddah, Bwari Area Council, where troops deployed under Operation MESA raided the location, dismantled illegal encampments and seized items including a dane gun, four motorcycles and assorted mining equipment.
In addition to the FCT operation, the army reported that three terrorists were neutralised as part of ongoing offensive and response actions under various operations nationwide.
Troops maintained pressure on criminal networks through proactive patrols and coordinated engagements in multiple theatres, aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities and curbing violent criminal activity.
In the North-East, forces attached to the Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai sustained offensive operations across Sectors 1 to 4, conducting aggressive patrols and routine security activities. The military source said no major security breaches were recorded in those zones during the period.
Similarly, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA and Operation Enduring Peace continued offensive and routine activities to consolidate gains and deny freedom of movement to criminal elements in their designated areas.
Beyond counter-terror operations, the army responded to a kidnapping incident in Rantya, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, evacuating a wounded gateman to a hospital while reinforcing security presence around the community.
In Kaduna State, troops quelled unrest involving youths in Mabushi village, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, arresting four suspects and restoring order.
The operations also yielded results in the South-South zone, where army units under Operation Delta Safe arrested a suspected armed robber in Delta State, recovering a locally fabricated pistol and live ammunition.
In Rivers State, the army apprehended two alleged illegal oil bunkerers at Bonny Island, seizing drums of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
The army’s actions in the FCT and across Nigeria represent part of sustained efforts to combat illegal mining, terrorism and organised crime.
Illegal mining has been linked to environmental degradation and insecurity in several regions, while terrorist threats remain a key concern for public safety and economic stability.
Military operations of this scale reflect broader security strategies that prioritise dismantling violent networks and reclaiming spaces affected by criminality.
Previous coordinated offensives have resulted in neutralising dozens of terrorists, arresting numerous suspects and rescuing kidnapped victims, demonstrating the armed forces continued resolve in safeguarding lives and property.
For urban communities and business leaders, enhanced military operations in and around the FCT and other strategic centres may boost perceptions of security and encourage economic activity.
Illegal mining and violent crime can disrupt local markets, deter investment and strain community resilience. Security gains thus support stability, which is essential for sustaining urban commercial growth and investor confidence.
The Nigerian Army’s arrest of illegal miners in the FCT and neutralisation of terrorists nationwide underscores an ongoing commitment to confronting multifaceted security threats.
Continued coordination of operations across different regions aims to uphold law and order, reinforce public safety and create an environment conducive to economic progress.
