Army Blocks Nasarawa–Benue Routes Used by Bandits for Escape
The Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) has effectively blocked major border routes linking Nasarawa and Benue states that were previously used by bandits to launch attacks on farming communities and escape back across state lines.
The Commanding Officer, COAS Intervention Battalion XI, Lt. Col. Donatus Otobo, disclosed this while briefing Defence Correspondents during an operational tour of military formations in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to him, the battalion was deployed to the area on July 12, 2025, following persistent bandit attacks that had turned Guma into one of Nigeria’s most volatile flashpoints. He said troops faced repeated ambushes from the very first day of deployment but have since succeeded in flushing out criminal elements and securing most of the area.
“From the day we entered this area, it was one form of attack or another. On our first day alone, we encountered over ten attacks. But today, we have been able to push the bandits out of our area of responsibility,” Otobo said.
He explained that Guma shares boundaries with three local government areas in Nasarawa State—Awe, Keana, and Doma—which he described as known infiltration routes for bandits who exploit the difficult terrain and deserted border communities to carry out hit-and-run attacks.
Otobo noted that sustained aggressive patrols, day-and-night ambushes, and close coordination with sister units operating in Nasarawa have significantly disrupted the movement of bandits along the corridor.
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“Whenever there is pressure from the Nasarawa axis, they attempt to move into Guma. We have blocked those routes and pushed them back. As of today, we have achieved about 80 per cent security within our area of responsibility,” he said.
He added that collaboration between units in Benue and Nasarawa recently led to the arrest of a suspected criminal who crossed into Benue to attack communities, stressing that intelligence sharing remains key to sustaining the gains recorded.
The officer further revealed that before the arrival of the battalion, civilians could not travel through the Nasme axis or access farmlands due to constant attacks. However, the presence of troops has restored confidence, with farmers and traders now moving freely along previously abandoned routes.
Otobo attributed the successes to strong logistical and operational support from the Chief of Army Staff, describing the battalion as a special intervention force mandated to clear troubled areas and redeploy once stability is achieved.
“Guma used to record an average of ten killings weekly. Today, we sometimes go three months without a single attack. That is the result of sustained military pressure,” he said.
While speaking in Nasarawa, the Commanding Officer, Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke, Brig-Gen David Nwakonobi, also pledged sustained operations to block terrorists from crossing into Benue to attack local communities.
He noted that troops working in collaboration with other security agencies would ensure that criminals don’t find Nasarawa a haven.
PRNigeria reports that COAS Intervention Battalion XI, was established by the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, when he was Chief of Army Staff.
The battalion is tasked with expanding its operations to the entire Guma local government area.”
