By Peter Omopo
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a notorious armed bandit and arrested six suspected criminals during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted across Benue and Nasarawa states.
The operations were carried out by personnel of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), as part of ongoing efforts to curb insecurity in the North-Central region.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, the first operation took place on February 3, 2026, in Ayamba Village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1, OPWS, acting on credible intelligence about the activities of armed herders in the area, mobilised alongside operatives of the Nigerian Police Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard. On arrival, the troops engaged the armed elements, leading to a brief exchange during which one bandit was neutralised.
Items recovered at the scene included one AK-47 rifle, three rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition, and two magazines.
In a related operation on February 4, 2026, troops of Sector 2, OPWS, stationed at Patrol Base Agyaragu in Nasarawa State, acted on actionable intelligence provided by a local hunter regarding suspected armed robbers along the Asupe–Ome Road in Obi Local Government Area.
The troops, working with the informant, arrested one suspect identified as Adam Paul, aged 34, and recovered an AK-47 rifle. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the weapon was allegedly obtained from one Tela Obu, a resident of Duduguru Community in Obi LGA. Two other suspects, identified as John Amos and Elisha, also from the same community, reportedly fled the scene and remain at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
Also on February 4, troops of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Intervention Battalion IX, deployed at Agbaragba in Benue State, responded to a distress call from residents over the alleged mobilisation of youths from Agagbe community to rustle cattle. On arrival, troops discovered several dead cattle at different locations and arrested three suspects in connection with the incident. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force in Naka for further investigation and prosecution.
In another operation on February 5, 2026, troops at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Agbagbe acted on intelligence indicating that suspected cattle rustlers were butchering stolen cattle inside a residential building in Agagbe Community. Two suspects were apprehended at the scene while in possession of mutilated and butchered meat believed to have been obtained from rustled cattle.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were involved in cattle rustling activities in the area, a crime that has continued to threaten livelihoods and disrupt peace in rural communities. The suspects have been taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commenting on the operations, the Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their vigilance, resilience, and aggressive posture in denying criminal elements freedom of action.
He said the successes recorded align with the directive of the military high command to intensify aggressive patrols and strengthen intelligence-driven operations, urging the troops to sustain the momentum and maintain high operational efficiency across the Joint Operations Area.
