Troops of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have neutralised a suspected terrorists and recovered weapons, ammunition and other items during a fighting patrol along the Gbise–Igyudu Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
According to the statement, troops of Sector 1 were conducting a routine fighting patrol along the axis when they encountered two suspected bandits riding on a motorcycle.
The troops engaged the suspects after positively identifying them, leading to a fierce exchange of fire.
One of the suspects was neutralised during the encounter, while the second fled the scene after being overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower.
The troops subsequently conducted a search and clearance operation in the area to ensure that the fleeing suspect did not pose an immediate threat to nearby communities.
Items recovered from the scene included one pistol, one pistol magazine, one AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one 7.62mm NATO round, two rounds of 9mm ammunition and one PKT round.
Troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone and assorted charms.
Operation WHIRL STROKE urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information on the activities and movements of suspected criminals to security and law enforcement agencies.
The task force said such information remained critical to enabling troops to respond swiftly to emerging threats.
It further assured residents that Operation WHIRL STROKE would continue sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations across its area of responsibility to dismantle criminal networks and prevent them from threatening the peace and security of law-abiding citizens.
