A week-long coordinated security offensive across Benue and Taraba states has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks as troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) neutralized four armed criminals, rescued two kidnap victims, recovered weapons and ammunition and dismantled a drug trafficking ring linked to violent crimes in the North-Central region.
Operations between May 24 and May 31, 2026, show a scaling up of a military campaign to restore security in communities beset by banditry, abduction, armed robbery and illicit drug activities.
The military authorities said the operation led to the discovery of one AK-47 gun, three magazines, several types of ammunition, illegal substances worth hundreds of thousands of naira and cash exhibits at over ₦821,000.
The first flashpoint was on May 24 when military reacted to allegations of an armed herder’s attack along the Gbajimba-Agasha road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
When they arrived, soldiers found two injured individuals who had been hurt in the attack. The wounded were sent to the Primary Health Centre in Gbajimba for emergency medical treatment while security forces launched a manhunt for the fleeing perpetrators.
Hours later, forces achieved a big breakthrough in nearby Taraba State.
Security operatives who responded to an armed robbery alert, exchanged gunfire with suspected criminals at the Rafin Kada – Donga road in a heated gun duel. During the meeting, two armed thieves were neutralized on the scene.
Security personnel recovered one AK-47 rifle, three filled magazines, ammunition and ₦39,950 believed to be proceeds of illegal activity.
The operation was one of the largest interdictions of an armed robbery in the area in recent weeks.
The momentum continued on May 25 when forces intercepted suspected kidnappers operating along the Antegh – Zongo axis in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
The abductors withdrew under military pressure leaving their prisoners. They ran into surrounding terrain.
During the operation, one suspect was detained and two of the kidnapped victims were safely rescued and reunited with their families.
In addition to direct combat operations, the troops also attacked the financial and logistical backbone of organised crime with intelligence-led raids on a notorious drug syndicate operating within the Joint Operations Area.
Troops in Makurdi have scored a huge breakthrough, recovering a car and 641 pieces of illicit narcotics as well as ₦781,000 in cash.
The seizure prompted a follow-up operation on May 27 that saw the arrest of three more alleged narcotics dealers.
Security operatives also found further illicit substances, a motorcycle suspected to be used for distribution activities and additional N40,000 cash.
The suspects are being processed for handover to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution, military authorities stated.
The week-long attack ended on May 31 when intelligence reports led troops to a suspected bandit enclave at Imande Igigh in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
The operation concluded with two bandits neutralised and more ammunition and other battle gear retrieved from the hideaway.
The new accomplishment raises the overall number of criminals neutralised during the reporting period to four, bolstering ongoing efforts to deny armed groups safe havens throughout the region.
Force Commander Major General Moses Gara congratulated the troops for their operational accomplishments and professionalism in the face of adversity and urged them to continue to put pressure on the criminal groups.
Gara also urged on the citizens to improve coordination with security forces by furnishing them with timely and credible intelligence that can avoid attacks and lead to arrests.
He warned sternly that security authorities will continue to hunt down and dismantle the networks that provide information or logistic assistance to criminal groups.
The new operations underscore the increasing dependence on intelligence-led military operations as security forces seek to break the cycle of kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and drug-fuelled violence across Benue, Taraba and neighbouring areas.
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