Troops kill 2 bandits, rescue 3 kidnap victims in Benue
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, have killed two suspected bandits during a clearance operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement noted that the troops also rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered […]
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, have killed two suspected bandits during a clearance operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, in a statement noted that the troops also rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition.
He said that the operation was carried out between Thursday July 16 and Friday 17, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities of armed criminals operating from hideouts in Tse Togo and Utenge communities across River Yooyo at Orter Camp.
Zubairu stated that the troops advanced through Takum in neighbouring Taraba State before storming the terrorist enclave in the early hours of July 16.
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He said the troops engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, killing two of them, while three kidnapped victims were rescued.
He identified the rescued victims as Nyityo Abraham, a teacher; Uzuegwu Chukwuemeka Decency, a spare parts dealer; and Terhember Tavarshima, a farmer, all from Katsina-Ala LGA.
Zubairu added that other captives escaped from the camp during the exchange of gunfire.
He listed items recovered from the operation to include one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle fitted with an optic sight, one pistol, 19 AK-47 magazines, 181 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 40 rounds of 7.62×51mm ammunition, nine rounds of 7.62mm Tavor ammunition, one Moniepoint Point-of-Sale (POS) device, two pairs of desert camouflage uniforms and two pairs of woodland camouflage uniforms.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, has commended the troops for their courage, resilience and professionalism during the operation.
He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations against bandits and other criminal elements within the Joint Operations Area, while appreciating other security agencies and local communities for their continued support in the fight against insecurity.