Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade/Sector 3, operating under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have cleared several terrorist hideouts in Taraba State, seizing weapons, ammunition, and other military gear in a major security sweep aimed at restoring peace in the region.
The operation, carried out on 14 October, was part of the ongoing Operation Lafiya Nakowa, which targets terrorist, bandit, and criminal strongholds across the state. It was launched following actionable intelligence on the location of suspected terrorists operating in and around Badekoshi, Fajul, Kurmi, and Dampar villages in Ibi Local Government Area.
“Troops deployed at Tapga Ngasawa village in Dampar District swiftly acted on credible intelligence and conducted clearance operations in multiple identified locations,” said Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, in a statement released on Wednesday.
During the operation at Badekoshi village, troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to retreat towards nearby Fajul village and further into the surrounding forest. “The troops pursued the fleeing criminals with superior firepower, compelling them to abandon their positions,” the statement noted.
A thorough search of the area resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a loaded AK-47 magazine, one round of 7.62mm special ammunition, five rounds of blank ammunition, two fragmental jackets, two military camouflage uniforms, and a Jincheng motorcycle suspected to have been stolen during a previous attack on Tapga village.
Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the troops for their professionalism and resilience. He emphasized the Army’s commitment to ongoing operations until all threats are neutralized.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens,” he said. “We will continue to work with other security agencies and local communities to achieve lasting peace in the state.”
This latest operation follows a successful mission earlier in the month, on 1 October, when troops foiled a planned terrorist attack at Tor-Ikyeghgba village. Two suspects were neutralized during that engagement.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops advanced to the area, made contact with the bandits along the powerline axis, and engaged them, resulting in their neutralisation,” the Army stated.
These sustained efforts by the Nigerian military underscore a broader campaign to dismantle criminal networks and restore stability across Taraba State, which has seen increased security challenges in recent months.
