Troops Neutralize Armed Bandit And Confiscate Arms Cache In Benue Community
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have continued to demonstrate their resolve in tackling criminality in Benue State, as they successfully neutralized one armed criminal and recovered weapons during a clearance operation at Mararaba Gbagir on Tuesday, 30 July 2025.
The operation, which was based on credible intelligence on the presence of suspected armed elements in the area, led to a confrontation with the criminals. During the encounter, the troops engaged the suspects in a gun battle, resulting in the neutralization of one criminal while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
During the fire fight between troops and the criminals, one criminal was killed in action, resulting in the recovery of Six (6) AK47 Magazines, three (3) 9MM rounds, two (2) 7.62 MM special rounds, One (1) locally fabricated gun and one (1) locally fabricated pistol while charms and shrines were also destroyed.
The Force Commander Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, precision, and bravery in executing the operation. He encouraged them to maintain the momentum in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and security to Benue State and other parts of the Joint Operations Area.
Major General Gara also reiterated the commitment of OPWS to sustaining peace and protecting lives and property. He urged members of the public to continue supporting the troops with actionable intelligence to aid further operations.
