Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, OPWS, have neutralised a terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle during a swift anti-kidnap operation in Jotar Village, near Quarantine Checkpoint, on 2 July 2026.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed at Kyado mobilised immediately to the suspected location to prevent the attack. On arrival, they made contact with armed kidnappers and engaged them in a fierce exchange of fire.
During the encounter, one terrorist was neutralized. Troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene.
Intelligence indicates the neutralized suspect may have been part of the gang that attacked commuters on 1 July 2026, an incident in which the former Benue State SSG sustained gunshot injuries.
The Force Commander, OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their resilience and charged them to sustain aggressive patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
General Gara also applauded other security agencies for their collaboration and intelligence sharing, noting that inter-agency cooperation is critical to achieving lasting peace and stability.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to protecting law-abiding citizens and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information, assuring that all intelligence will be treated with confidentiality and acted upon promptly.
