- Troops killed two bandits and arrested a key suspect in Taraba.
- Operations cleared hideouts and recovered weapons.
- Army vows sustained pressure to end criminal activities in the state.
Troops of Headquarters 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have killed two bandits, destroyed several hideouts, and arrested a key suspect during clearance operations in Taraba State.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that this was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for the 6 Brigade, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad.
According to the army, the operation, named Operation Zafin Wuta, began on December 2 across Shiid, Agia, and Tyozua villages in Takum Local Government Area following credible intelligence on the presence of armed groups in the Tor-Tser axis.
During the mission, troops arrested one Dahiru Maigari, a suspect allegedly linked to multiple criminal activities.
The statement noted that as soldiers advanced toward the mountainous hideouts, the bandits fled deeper into the rugged terrain, abandoning their camps.
Troops searched the area thoroughly before destroying the hideouts previously thought to be inaccessible.
In Tyozua, the fleeing bandits reportedly set fire to a wooden bridge in an attempt to slow troop movement, but soldiers pushed through and forced the criminals across the power line into neighbouring Benue State. Maigari was later caught and is undergoing preliminary investigation.
In a separate operation on December 4, troops carried out a fighting patrol around Karim Lamido and its surrounding communities to prevent bandit regrouping.
While approaching Usmanu, troops came under fire from gunmen hiding behind Wudompi Community.
Soldiers returned fire immediately, killing two of the attackers and recovering an AK-47 rifle and 21 rounds of ammunition. No soldier was injured in the encounter.
The attackers were identified as members of the Karimjo faction, believed to be behind recent attempts to reestablish criminal activity in the area.
The army reported that security around Karim Lamido remains stable as troops maintain heightened vigilance.
Commander 6 Brigade and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and bravery.
He said the operations reaffirm that no terrain is beyond the reach of the Nigerian Army and assured residents of continued pressure on criminal elements across Taraba.
