Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have destroyed multiple bandit camps and recovered ammunition during a two-day clearance operation in southern Taraba State.
The operation, led by Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, was carried out from June 19 to 20 across parts of Wukari and Takum Local Government Areas.
According to a military statement, the troops, drawn from the newly established Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari, stormed several criminal hideouts including villages along Chonku-Gor Road, Lortema, Gudu, Mbayenge, Teyotima, Ikayior, and Mande Atsager.
In Ikayior, believed to be a base of a wanted bandit, Akiki Utiv a.k.a. “Full Fire”, troops uncovered a camp and recovered 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition in an AK-47 magazine. The site was dismantled and destroyed.
At Mande Atsager, associated with another notorious gang leader, Verior John Gata, troops encountered armed resistance. The bandits fled into the forest after a brief firefight, abandoning their base.
A search of the location revealed a building with four in-built detention cells, believed to have been used for kidnap victims, and a shrine containing a human skull, indicating suspected ritual practices.
General Uwa commended the troops for their bravery and operational effectiveness. He reaffirmed the brigade’s resolve to flush out criminal elements from Taraba and called on residents to support the military with credible intelligence.
“We remain committed to restoring peace and security across Taraba State,” he said.
Operations in other areas, including Chanchangi, Jam Kaanan, Hingir, Ukum, and Nbaume, were conducted without contact but with extensive searches.
The army reiterated its appeal for continued cooperation from the public and assured that efforts to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing.