Troops Neutralize Kidnapper, Recover AK-47 in Fierce Benue Gun Duel
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have foiled a kidnapping attempt at Jotar Village, near the Quarantine Checkpoint in Benue State, neutralizing one suspect and recovering an AK-47 rifle alongside two empty magazines.
According to military sources, troops stationed at Kyado immediately mobilized to the scene upon receiving the alert. On arrival, the security forces engaged a group of armed kidnappers in a fierce firefight, forcing the criminals to retreat and leaving one of their members neutralized.
Link to Previous High-Profile Attack
Preliminary indicators suggest that the neutralized bandit may have been a member of the gang responsible for a brazen assault on commuters just a day prior, on July 1, 2026.
That earlier attack resulted in injuries to several travelers, including the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Benue State, who is currently recovering from gunshot wounds.
Command Commendation and Inter-Agency Synergy
Reacting to the development, the Force Commander of JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, praised the resilience and unwavering commitment of the troops in safeguarding lives and property within the region.
“We must sustain aggressive fighting patrols and maintain unrelenting pressure on these criminal elements to ensure they are denied freedom of action throughout the OPWS Joint Operations Area,” Major General Gara charged the troops.
The Force Commander also extended his appreciation to sister security agencies, emphasizing that robust inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing remain vital pillars in the collective effort to restore lasting peace, stability, and tranquility to the region.
Operation WHIRL STROKE has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information, promising that all intelligence will be treated with strict confidentiality.