Troops of Eliminate Armed Criminal in Benue, Arrest Suspect Recover Weapon in Nasarawa

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have recorded another operational success following a coordinated ambush and follow-up operation that neutralized an armed criminal in Benue State and led to the arrest of another suspect in Nasarawa State.
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‎According to a statement by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, the operation took place on Tuesday, October 15, 2025, east of Ayilamo in Tombo Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
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‎During the engagement, troops made contact with armed criminal elements, resulting in the neutralization of one of the suspects, while others fled the scene, reportedly sustaining gunshot wounds. The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and fourteen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
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‎Following the encounter, the troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the area, maintaining operational dominance and conducting confidence-building patrols to reassure residents and deter further criminal activity.
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‎In a separate development, troops of Sub-Sector 2 deployed in Maraba Udege, Nasarawa Local Government Area, acted on a distress call from Maraba Market regarding a man allegedly in possession of a firearm. On swift response, the troops apprehended one Mr. Ramanu Elizabeth and recovered a locally fabricated pistol from his possession. The suspect is currently in custody for further investigation and prosecution.
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‎Commending the troops for their professionalism and tactical proficiency, the Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, urged them to sustain the operational tempo to ensure continued peace and security in the Joint Operations Area.
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‎He emphasized that the command remains resolute in protecting innocent lives, restoring law and order, and sustaining pressure on criminal networks operating within the region.
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‎Operation WHIRL STROKE, jointly comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and other security agencies, continues to work with local stakeholders and community leaders to strengthen intelligence gathering and eliminate threats to national security.
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