Nigerian troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralised a suspected bandit in Benue.
They also uncovered a hidden weapons cache during a clearance operation in Mararaba Gbagi community on Tuesday, July 30, 2025.
The operation was reportedly carried out after an intelligence indicating the presence of armed criminal elements in the area.
This was confirmed in a statement by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS.
He explained that troops exchanged fire with the suspects, leading to the death of one of the criminals while others managed to escape with gunshot wounds.
“In the course of the firefight, the troops successfully neutralized one criminal and recovered a significant arms cache. The recovered items include six AK-47 magazines, three 9mm rounds, two 7.62mm special rounds, one locally fabricated gun, and one locally fabricated pistol,” the statement said.
In addition to the weapons, troops also destroyed charms and shrines reportedly used by the suspects for ritual protection and invincibility.
Major General Moses Gara, Commander of OPWS, praised the personnel involved for their discipline and tactical execution. He reaffirmed the military’s ongoing resolve to rid the region of criminal elements.
“The operation is a strong warning to criminal elements that there is no safe haven for banditry, terrorism, and related crimes in our region,” General Gara said.
“We urge members of the public to support our efforts by providing timely and actionable intelligence.”
Operation Whirl Stroke was initiated to tackle armed banditry, inter-communal conflicts, and terrorism in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and parts of Niger State.
