Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have intensified intelligence-driven operations across parts of Benue and Nasarawa States, recording significant successes against armed banditry, robbery and cattle rustling.
According to Acting Media Information Officer HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, on February 3, 2026, troops of Sector 1, OPWS, acting on credible intelligence about the activities of armed herders in Ayamba Village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, mobilised swiftly alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.
According to military sources, troops engaged the armed elements upon arrival at the location, resulting in a brief exchange during which one armed bandit was neutralised. Items recovered from 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, deployed 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 moved to the area in collaboration with the informant and arrested one suspected armed robber, identified as Adam Paul, aged 34. One AK-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the weapon was allegedly obtained from one Tela Obu, a resident of Duduguru Community in Obi LGA. Two other suspects, John Amos and Elisha, also from Duduguru Community, reportedly fled the scene and are currently at large, while efforts to apprehend them continue.
Meanwhile, on the same day, 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 mobilisation of youths from Agagbe Community to rustle cattle. On arrival, the 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.
Similarly, on February 5, 2026, troops at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Agbagbe acted on credible intelligence indicating that some youths were butchering rustled cattle inside a residential building in Agagbe Community. Two suspects were apprehended at the scene with mutilated and butchered meat suspected to have been obtained from rustled cattle. The suspects have been taken into custody for investigation and possible prosecution.
Commending the operations, the Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for their resilience, vigilance and aggressive posture in denying criminal elements freedom of action. He noted that the successes recorded align with directives from the military high command to intensify aggressive fighting patrols and intelligence-led operations.
Major General Gara urged the troops to sustain the momentum and maintain high operational efficiency, while also expressing appreciation to local communities and other security agencies for their continued support and cooperation in the ongoing operations.
