Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued 11 kidnapped victims and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition during a coordinated offensive in parts of Benue and Taraba States, military sources confirmed.
The daring weekend operation, which took place between Saturday and Sunday, was led by Col. K.O. Bukoye, Commander of Sector I OPWS, with aerial support from the Air Component and ground reinforcement by Sector III in Gindin Mangoro, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba.
The assault, which targeted criminal hideouts in Tse-Ahur and Chito communities of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State, involved a multi-pronged strategy of simultaneous air and ground attacks.
“The troops overwhelmed the adversaries with superior firepower, leading to the arrest of two suspects, while others fled, abandoning hostages and weapons,” a military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
A follow-up search-and-rescue mission led to the liberation of 11 hostages—four women and seven men—who have received medical attention and are being processed for reunification with their families.
Among the weapons recovered were four FN rifles, three G3 rifles, four AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, one locally fabricated dane gun, as well as assorted magazines, ammunition, smoke canisters, and fetish charms.
The troops also destroyed the bandits’ camp and logistics infrastructure, cutting off their operational base and disrupting their movement in the region.
Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, OPWS Force Commander, personally supervised the operation and commended the troops for their gallantry and tactical discipline.
“This operation aligns with the strategic directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and reflects the Armed Forces’ broader commitment to eliminating criminal threats,” Gara said.
He also lauded the interagency collaboration and support from the CDS and service chiefs, crediting the success to timely deployment of resources and sustained operational momentum.
Gara pledged that troops will sustain pressure on criminal elements and intensify efforts to restore lasting peace across Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States.
