Troops Eliminate Bandit, Arrests Armed Robbers, Cattle Rustlers in Nasarawa, Benue
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have sustained an aggressive, intelligence-driven operational tempo across parts of Benue and Nasarawa States, recording significant successes against armed banditry, robbery and cattle rustling.
In Benue State, troops of Sector 1, OPWS, on 3 February 2026, acted on credible intelligence on the movement of armed herders in Ayamba Village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. The troops, working in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, swiftly moved to the location.
Upon arrival, the troops made contact with the armed elements, leading to a brief engagement during which one armed bandit was neutralised. Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, three rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition and two magazines.
Similarly, on 4 February 2026, troops of Sector 2, OPWS, deployed at Patrol Base Agyaragu in Nasarawa State, received actionable intelligence from a local hunter on the presence of suspected armed robbers along the Asupe–Ome Road in Obi Local Government Area. Acting promptly, the troops moved to the area in conjunction with the hunter.
During the operation, one suspected armed robber, identified as Adam Paul, aged 34, was arrested, while one AK-47 rifle was recovered. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained the weapon from one Tela Obu, a resident of Duduguru Community in Obi LGA. Two other suspects, John Amos and Elisha, also from the same community, reportedly fled the scene. Troops have since intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
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In another operation on the same day, troops of the COAS Intervention Battalion IX, deployed at Agbaragba in Benue State, responded swiftly to a distress call from residents over the mobilisation of some youths from Agagbe community to rustle cattle. Although several dead cattle were discovered at different locations on arrival, three suspects were arrested in connection with the incident and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force in Naka for further investigation and prosecution.
Further consolidating the gains, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Agbagbe on 5 February 2026 acted on credible intelligence indicating that some youths were butchering meat from rustled cattle inside a residential building in Agagbe Community. Two suspects were apprehended at the scene in possession of mutilated and butchered meat believed to have been obtained from rustled cattle. Preliminary findings linked the suspects to cattle rustling activities within the area, a crime that has continued to threaten rural livelihoods and peace. The suspects have been taken into custody for investigation and possible prosecution in line with extant laws.
Commending the troops, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, praised their resilience, vigilance and aggressive posture in denying criminals freedom of action. He noted that the successes recorded were in line with directives from the military high command to intensify intelligence-led operations and aggressive fighting patrols.
Major General Gara further charged the troops to sustain the momentum and maintain high fighting efficiency to deter and neutralise criminal activities within the Joint Operations Area. He also expressed appreciation to local communities and sister security agencies for their continued cooperation and support, which he said have been critical to the operational successes of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
By PRNigeria
