Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), working in coordination with the Nigeria Police Force, Zaki-Biam Division, and the Benue State Community Protection Guard, have successfully dismantled an armed gang notorious for blocking roads and attacking travellers in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation, carried out on 11 December 2025, followed credible intelligence that criminals had mounted an illegal roadblock along the route linking Aturuku, Wembe and Ayati villages in Borkyo Council Ward.
The gang had reportedly been staging ambushes and robbing unsuspecting commuters approaching the junction.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the troops engaged the armed group in a fierce confrontation, neutralising three of the criminals while several others escaped into the surrounding bushes.
Security forces recovered two motorcycles used by the gang and have intensified search operations to track down the fleeing suspects.
Preliminary investigations identified the neutralised individuals as members of a notorious syndicate believed to be behind recurring kidnappings and violent attacks across Ukum LGA, including recent abductions near the Zaki-Biam yam market.
Community members identified two of the deceased as Sughter Abelebe and Sughnen Abelebe from Ugbaam Council Ward, and a third suspect from Tse Kpeakaa, Kundav Council Ward.
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The group is also believed to have ties to a feared bandit kingpin operating within the Shitile axis of Katsina-Ala LGA.
The Force Commander, Joint Task Force OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the strong synergy among the security agencies involved.
He praised the troops for their courage, discipline and professionalism, urging them to sustain the operational momentum, intensify intelligence-driven missions and maintain a robust security presence in vulnerable communities.
Gara reaffirmed OPWS’s commitment to protecting lives, supporting civil authority and restoring peace across the Joint Operations Area.
