Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have disrupted a suspected kidnappers’ roadblock, neutralised one suspected bandit and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations across Benue State.
According to an official statement signed by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, the operations were conducted on August 19, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminals operating in the state.
The statement said troops acted on intelligence regarding the activities of a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates, who were allegedly operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar–Atume axis.
It said the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and made contact with the criminals, leading to a firefight in which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was neutralised.
According to the statement, other members of the criminal group fled the scene in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle which was subsequently recovered by the troops.
In a separate operation conducted the same day in Logo Local Government Area, OPWS troops, acting on credible information, apprehended two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.
The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel. The statement said the suspects reportedly confessed to an attempt to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh, a resident of Gou Village.
Items recovered from the suspects included one locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.
The two suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation and exploitation.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across its area of responsibility, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against criminal elements.
