Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have arrested five suspected associates of a notorious bandit following a raid on a suspected terrorist hideout in Peva, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
In a statement, Acting Media Information Officer HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu said the operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday, September 3, 2026, followed credible intelligence received by security forces at about 12:30 a.m. regarding the location of the suspected bandit hideout.
Acting on the intelligence, troops of Sector 1, in conjunction with personnel of Sector 3, both under Operation WHIRL STROKE, launched a precision raid on the identified location.
The suspected terrorists, however, reportedly fled before the troops arrived after allegedly receiving information from informants about the advancing security personnel.
The troops subsequently conducted a thorough search of the area, leading to the arrest of five persons suspected to be associates of the fleeing criminal elements.
Security forces also recovered two AK-47 rifle magazines, 46 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a woodland camouflage jacket and jungle hat, four charm vests and assorted charms.
The military said the arrests and recovery of the items had provided useful leads that could support ongoing efforts to identify, track and apprehend other members of the criminal gang.
Operation WHIRL STROKE assured residents of Taraba State and other communities within its Joint Operations Area of its continued determination to sustain pressure on terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements until peace and security are fully restored.
The task force also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to defeating criminal networks and protecting vulnerable communities.
