Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke have sustained offensive operations against armed criminal elements in Benue State, successfully dislodging a notorious terrorist camp in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out under Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke, targeted a criminal hideout in Mtan Village, Utange Council Ward, following credible and actionable intelligence on the activities of a wanted bandit leader and his associates.
This was made known in a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer HQ JTF operation Whirl Stroke, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, and shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Sunday.
Intelligence reports indicated that the syndicate was operating from the remote enclave in Katsina-Ala LGA, prompting troops to swiftly advance to the location.
It was gathered that soldiers made contact with the armed group, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The terrorists reportedly fled the area under sustained military pressure.
A subsequent sweep of the hideout led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and logistics items.
Items recovered during the operation include two motorcycles believed to belong to the fleeing bandit leader, eight magazines, 162 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition, 10 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 44 rounds of 9mm ammunition, links of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and seven empty 7.62mm NATO cartridge casings.
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Troops also discovered a red Toyota vehicle at the scene, which was demobilized to prevent its further use for criminal activities.
The Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, commended the intelligence team for providing timely and reliable information that facilitated the successful raid.
He also praised the troops for their resilience, professionalism, and tactical dexterity during the operation.
Reiterating the need for sustained collaboration between security forces and host communities, Major General Gara urged residents to continue sharing credible intelligence with security agencies.
He emphasized that timely information remains critical to curbing terrorism and other criminal activities within the region.
Operation Whirl Stroke continues to intensify clearance operations across the Benue axis as part of broader efforts to restore peace and stability in affected communities.
