Troops kill four bandits, rescue abductees in Benue, Taraba
Troops Neutralize Criminals, Rescue Kidnapped Victims in Taraba and Benue States
In a series of operations, troops from Operation WHIRL STROKE have neutralized four criminals and rescued two individuals kidnapped in Taraba and Benue states.
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the acting Media Information Officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (JTF) involved in Operation WHIRL STROKE, confirmed the developments in a formal statement. He noted that the troops seized one AK-47 rifle along with ammunition and dismantled a prominent illicit drug network.
The statement detailed that these successes followed reports of an armed attack by herders along the Gbajimba–Agasha Road in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Troops were promptly deployed to the location, where they discovered two residents with injuries. The victims were evacuated to the Primary Health Centre in Gbajimba for medical treatment. Authorities have initiated a manhunt for the attackers.
In a simultaneous operation in Taraba State, troops responded to an alert regarding an armed robbery along the Rafin Kada–Donga Road, engaging the perpetrators. As a result, two armed robbers were neutralized; the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, ammunition, and cash totaling N39,950.
On May 25, 2026, the troops acted on a kidnapping report along the Antegh–Zongo Road in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. They intercepted the abductors, resulting in the abandonment of two victims who were subsequently rescued. One suspect was apprehended, and the rescued individuals were reunited with their families.
Additionally, a separate intelligence-based operation targeted a notorious drug syndicate. Troops conducted a search on a vehicle in Makurdi on May 23, 2026, leading to the recovery of 641 pieces of illicit drugs and N781,000 in cash. A follow-up operation on May 27 resulted in the arrest of three additional suspected drug dealers, during which more illicit substances, a motorcycle, and N40,000 were seized. The detained suspects have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In the latest operation on May 31, 2026, troops raided a bandit enclave at Imande Igigh in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. They neutralized two bandits and confiscated ammunition and related items.
Major General Moses Gara, the Force Commander, praised the troops for their efforts and encouraged them to maintain their operational momentum.
