Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), under the command of Colonel K.O. Bukoye of Sector 1, and backed by the Air Component, have sustained intensified offensive operations against criminal elements across Benue and neighbouring Taraba States.
The latest coordinated assault, conducted between August 2 and 3, 2025, underscores the growing momentum and strategic efficiency of OPWS in its mission to restore peace and stability in the region.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the recent high-impact operations were simultaneously executed in the Tse-Ahur and Chito general areas of Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
In tandem, troops from Sector 3 established a vital blocking position in Gindin Mangoro, Wukari LGA of Taraba State, to intercept insurgents attempting to flee from the battlefield.
The operation, marked by well-coordinated multi-sectoral maneuvers, exemplified operational depth and tactical proficiency within a complex joint-service environment. Upon engaging with the kidnappers’ hideout, the troops launched a precision strike, overwhelming the criminals with superior firepower.
This resulted in the arrest of two key suspects, while several others fled in disarray, abandoning both their captives and a significant cache of weapons.
A subsequent search-and-rescue operation led to the successful recovery of eleven kidnapped individuals — four females and seven males — who were immediately given first aid and medical evaluation before being profiled for reunification with their families.
Further exploitation of the area yielded the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition. Items recovered include:
- Four (4) FN rifles
- Three (3) G3 rifles
- Four (4) AK-47 rifles
- One (1) PKT machine gun
- One (1) locally fabricated Dane gun
- Fifteen (15) AK-47 magazines
- Three (3) FN rifle magazines
- Thirty-one (31) rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition
- One hundred and eighty-four (184) rounds of 7.62mm x 54 ammunition
- One (1) pistol magazine
- Five (5) smoke discharge canisters
- Several fetish charms
The operation culminated in the complete destruction of the criminal elements’ camps and logistics hubs within the targeted areas. This effectively denied the insurgents freedom of movement and access to vital logistical support, significantly degrading their operational capacity.
On-ground to personally coordinate and assess the success of the operation, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the courage, resilience, and determination of the troops. He praised their unwavering commitment to maintaining tactical superiority and offensive initiative against threats to national security.
Major General Gara reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of OPWS to relentlessly pursue criminal elements hiding within Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States. He emphasized that the mission aligns with the strategic directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and is consistent with the broader vision of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect citizens and uphold national security.
The Force Commander also extended his profound appreciation to the CDS and the Service Chiefs for their steadfast leadership, strategic direction, and consistent logistical and operational support, which he said had been instrumental in the string of successful operations recorded by OPWS.
He further attributed the operational successes to the enabling environment fostered by defence leadership, the timely deployment of key enablers, and the seamless collaboration among military forces, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence services.
In conclusion, Major General Gara assured the public that OPWS would sustain operational pressure, dominate the theatre of operations, and continue to restore peace and normalcy across all affected areas in Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States.