Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) neutralized four criminal suspects, rescued two kidnapped victims, and dismantled a notorious illicit drug network during a series of operations across Benue and Taraba States between May 24 and May 31, 2026, the military announced Monday.
The joint task force also recovered one AK-47 rifle with three magazines, ammunition, assorted illicit drugs, and a total cash sum of ₦860,950 across multiple raids and response operations.
The crackdown began on May 24, when troops responded to reports of an armed herder attack along the Gbajimba–Agasha road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Upon arrival, soldiers found two injured civilians, who were evacuated to the Primary Health Center in Gbajimba for treatment. A manhunt for the assailants is ongoing, according to a statement by the acting media information officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu.
On the same day in Taraba State, troops acted on an armed robbery alert along the Rafin Kada–Donga road. Engaging the criminals, soldiers neutralized two armed robbers and recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, ammunition, and ₦39,950 in cash.
On May 25, troops responded to a kidnapping report along the Antegh–Zongo road in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. Soldiers intercepted the abductors, who abandoned two victims and fled. One suspect was arrested, and the rescued victims were reunited with their families.
In a significant blow to drug-related criminality, the task force conducted intelligence-led operations targeting a notorious illicit drug syndicate. On May 23, troops searched a recovered vehicle in Makurdi, seizing 641 pieces of illicit drugs and ₦781,000. A follow-up operation on May 27 led to the arrest of three additional suspected drug peddlers, with further substances, a motorcycle, and ₦40,000 recovered. The suspects are being processed for handover to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In the most recent operation on May 31, troops raided a bandit enclave at Imande Igigh in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, neutralizing two bandits and recovering ammunition and related items.
The Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their resilience and urged them to sustain the operational momentum. He also appealed to local communities to report suspected criminal elements to security agencies.
“Informants to criminals were also warned to desist from the inglorious trade so as to avert unpleasant consequences,” Lieutenant Zubairu said in the statement.
Operation WHIRL STROKE continues to conduct joint security operations across Benue and Taraba States as part of ongoing efforts to curb violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and banditry in the region.
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