Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have neutralised a suspected bandit and recovered arms, ammunition and other items during a fighting patrol along the Gbise–Igyudu Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation was conducted on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by troops of Sector 1 who encountered two suspected bandits riding on a motorcycle along the axis.
According to the Joint Task Force, the troops positively identified the suspects before engaging them, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.
One of the suspects was neutralised during the encounter, while the second fled the scene after being overwhelmed by the troops’ superior firepower.
The troops subsequently conducted a thorough search and clearance operation in the area to ensure that the fleeing suspect posed no immediate threat to nearby communities.
Items recovered from the scene included one pistol, one pistol magazine, one AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one 7.62mm NATO round, two rounds of 9mm ammunition and one PKT round.
Troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone and assorted charms believed to have been in the possession of the suspects.
The Joint Task Force urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information on the activities and movements of suspected criminals to security and law enforcement agencies.
It said such intelligence remains critical to enabling security forces to respond swiftly and decisively to emerging threats.
The force reaffirmed that Operation WHIRL STROKE would sustain aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven operations across its Joint Operations Area to dismantle criminal networks and prevent them from threatening the peace and security of law-abiding citizens.
