Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have recorded a major breakthrough in Benue State after storming an illegal roadblock operated by a notorious criminal gang that had been ambushing travellers near Ukum Junction. Acting on precise intelligence, a joint force made up of OPWS operatives, police personnel from the Zaki-Biam Division and members of the Benue State Community Protection Guard launched the operation on 11 December, moving quickly to intercept the gang along the Aturuku–Wembe–Ayati axis in Borkyo Council Ward.
The criminals, who had been preying on unsuspecting motorists, opened fire when approached, sparking a sharp exchange. The troops responded with superior force, killing three members of the gang while the rest escaped into the surrounding bushes. Two motorcycles used by the attackers were recovered, and an intensified search effort is continuing to track the fleeing suspects.
Read also:
- NAF unveils shortlist of applicants for 2025 recruitment aptitude test
- Onicha-Olona illegal arms factory: Nwoko secures release of 3 more youths
- Gov. Zulum expands educational support for students, refugees in Cameroon
Investigations revealed that the neutralised men belonged to a syndicate long feared across Ukum Local Government Area for kidnappings, armed attacks and disruptions near the busy Zaki-Biam yam market. Residents later identified the dead suspects as Sughter Abelebe and Sughnen Abelebe from Ugbaam Council Ward, along with a third accomplice from Tse Kpeakaa in Kundav Ward. Security sources believe the group had ties to a well-known bandit commander operating in the Shitile axis of Katsina-Ala.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, praised the coordinated effort behind the successful mission and commended the troops for their discipline and precision. He urged them to sustain the surge in operations as the country heads toward the Yuletide season, insisting that the task force remains committed to protecting civilians, restoring order and denying criminal networks any safe haven.
Major General Gara said OPWS would continue to rely on intelligence-driven operations and reinforced patrols to secure vulnerable communities
across the joint operations area.
