Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have killed a suspected bandit and recovered a cache of arms during a raid in Mbagen community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS Headquarters, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed the operation in a statement issued on Tuesday in Makurdi.
He said the ground and air components of the force launched a snap raid on the hideout of a notorious bandit group, leading to a fierce firefight.
“During the encounter, one of the bandits was neutralised, while the gang leader narrowly escaped,” Zubairu said.
Recovered items included two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, five AK-47 magazines, one G3 magazine, a hand grenade, two BAOFENG radios, 162 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a Sanya motorcycle reportedly used for criminal activities.
The Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism, noting that the raid disrupted the operations of armed groups behind killings and kidnappings in the region.
He warned criminal elements operating across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States to desist or face decisive military action.
Gara also urged troops to maintain discipline, remain combat-ready, and prioritise continuous in-theatre training to tackle emerging security threats.
