Troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, in collaboration with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, have killed two suspected terrorists, rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during a coordinated offensive in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The intelligence-led operation, which began at about 3:00 a.m. on July 16 and concluded on July 17, saw troops advance through Takum in Taraba State to Tse Togo and Utenge communities across River Yooyo at Orter Camp, identified as a suspected terrorist enclave.
According to military authorities, the troops engaged the armed suspects in a fierce gun battle, neutralising two of them while forcing others to flee the camp.
The operation also led to the rescue of three kidnapped victims identified as Mr. Nyityo Abraham, a teacher; Mr. Uzuegwu Chukwuemeka Decency, a spare parts dealer; and Mr. Terhember Tavarshima, a farmer, all from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The military disclosed that several other captives escaped from the terrorists’ camp during the exchange of gunfire.
A search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition and other items, including one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle fitted with an optical sight, one pistol, 19 AK-47 magazines, 181 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 40 rounds of 7.62×51mm ammunition, nine rounds of 7.62mm Tavor ammunition, a Moniepoint Point-of-Sale (POS) device, two pairs of desert camouflage uniforms and two pairs of woodland camouflage uniforms.
Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their courage, resilience and professionalism in executing the operation.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and eliminating criminal elements operating within the Joint Operations Area.
The Force Commander also expressed appreciation to sister security agencies and local communities for their continued collaboration and timely intelligence, describing their support as critical to the success of ongoing security operations across the region.
