By Ameh Gabriel
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have continued to intensify efforts to rid Benue State of criminal elements, successfully neutralizing an armed bandit and recovering a cache of weapons during a clearance operation in Mararaba Gbagir on Tuesday, July 30, 2025.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at the OPWS Headquarters, the operation was launched following credible intelligence on the presence of armed groups in the area.
The troops encountered resistance during the mission, leading to a firefight in which one criminal was neutralized, while others fled the scene with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the operation include:
Six (6) AK-47 magazines
Three (3) rounds of 9mm ammunition
Two (2) rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
One (1) locally fabricated gun
One (1) locally fabricated pistol
In addition, several charms and shrines used by the criminal group were destroyed.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for their bravery, discipline, and professionalism in executing the mission. He charged them to remain vigilant and sustain the current operational momentum to restore lasting peace to Benue and surrounding areas under the Joint Task Force’s responsibility.
Major General Gara also reaffirmed the commitment of OPWS to protecting lives and property and called on residents to continue providing credible intelligence that can support the military’s operations.
