Troops Neutralise Armed Bandit, Arrest Suspects in Benue and Nasarawa

On 3 February 2026, troops of Sector 1, OPWS, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a joint operation with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard in Ayamba Village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation targeted suspected armed herders operating in the area. Upon arrival, troops engaged the armed elements in a brief firefight, during which one armed bandit was neutralised. Items recovered at the scene included one AK-47 rifle, three rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition, and two magazines.

In a related operation on 4 February 2026, troops of Sector 2, OPWS, deployed at Patrol Base Agyaragu in Nasarawa State, acted on actionable intelligence provided by a local hunter regarding suspected armed robbers along the Asupe–Ome Road in Obi Local Government Area. The troops promptly moved to the area and arrested one suspect, identified as Adam Paul, aged 34. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from him. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained the weapon from one Tela Obu of Duduguru Community. Two other suspects, John Amos and Elisha, also from Duduguru Community, escaped and are currently being pursued by security forces.

Also on 4 February, troops of the COAS Intervention Battalion IX, deployed at Agbaragba in Benue State, responded to a distress call from residents concerning the mobilisation of youths from Agagbe community for cattle rustling. On arrival, troops discovered several dead cattle at different locations. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force in Naka for further investigation and prosecution.

Further operations on 5 February 2026 led to the arrest of two additional suspects in Agagbe Community. Troops stationed at Forward Operating Base Agbagbe acted on credible intelligence that some youths were butchering meat from rustled cattle inside a residential building. The suspects were apprehended at the scene with mutilated and butchered meat believed to be from rustled cattle. Preliminary investigations linked them to ongoing cattle rustling activities in the area. They have since been taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Commending the troops for their resilience and vigilance, the Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, said the successes recorded were in line with the directive of the military high command to intensify aggressive fighting patrols and intelligence-led operations. He urged the troops to sustain the operational tempo and maintain a high level of combat readiness to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the joint operations area.

Major General Gara also expressed appreciation to local communities and other security agencies for their continued cooperation, noting that their support has played a vital role in the achievements recorded by Operation WHIRL STROKE.