Troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralised an armed bandit and seized a cache of weapons during a clearance operation in Mararaba Gbagir, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Tuesday operation, followed by credible intelligence reports on the presence of suspected armed bandits in the area.
According to the military, the troops encountered resistance as they closed in on the location, leading to a fierce gun battle with the criminals.
One of the assailants was killed in the exchange, while others fled the scene with gunshot wounds.
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According to the military, troops recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including six AK-47 magazines, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a locally fabricated gun, and a locally made pistol.
They also destroyed charms and makeshift shrines found at the site, suspected to be used by the criminals for fortification.
Moses Gara, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, praised the troops for their courage, precision, and professionalism in executing the operation.
He emphasised that the operation demonstrates OPWS’s ongoing commitment to eradicating criminal networks and restoring peace to the region.
“We will not relent until all criminal elements disrupting the peace in Benue and neighbouring states are flushed out.
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“I commend the troops for their bravery and urge them to sustain the tempo of operations”, Gara stated.
He also called on residents of Benue and surrounding communities to continue cooperating with the military by providing timely and actionable intelligence to support future operations.
Operation Whirl Stroke was established to combat armed violence, banditry, and other security threats across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states.
