Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested three suspected criminals and recovered arms and ammunition during a clearance operation in Benue State.
The operation, conducted on March 26, 2026, is part of ongoing pre-wet season offensives aimed at securing farming communities and restricting the movement of criminal elements across vulnerable areas.
In a statement issued by the Joint Task Force, troops of the Army Chief Intervention Battalion XI acted on credible intelligence about the presence of suspected terrorists in the Agasha area. The troops reportedly moved in, secured the location, and arrested three suspects during the raid.
The suspects were identified as Sule Ibrahim and Salmanu Risko, both from Nasarawa State, and Abdulkareem Haruna from Jos.
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Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 27 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Other items found at the scene were a mobile phone, a cutlass, sachets of alcohol, and assorted charms.
Military authorities confirmed that the suspects are currently in custody undergoing preliminary investigation and will be handed over for prosecution in line with due process.
Troops have maintained heightened operations in the area, intensifying patrols and surveillance to stabilise the security environment ahead of the farming season.
The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and resolve, reaffirming the military’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property within the operational area.
