By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle during a swift anti-kidnapping operation in Benue State.
The operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers at Jotar Village, near the Quarantine Checkpoint, on July 2.
According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, troops deployed at Kyado immediately mobilised to the area to stop the suspected criminals from carrying out their activities.
On arrival, the troops reportedly engaged the armed suspects in a fierce gun battle.
During the encounter, one suspected terrorist was killed, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene.
The military said preliminary indicators suggest the neutralised suspect may have belonged to the gang that attacked commuters on July 1, an incident in which a former Benue State Secretary to the State Government (SSG) sustained gunshot injuries.
Commending the troops, the Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, praised their resilience and commitment to protecting lives and property.
According to Lieutenant Zubairu, the Force Commander charged troops to sustain aggressive fighting patrols and maintain pressure on criminal elements to deny them freedom of action throughout the Joint Operations Area.
General Gara also commended other security agencies for their continued collaboration and intelligence sharing, describing inter-agency cooperation as essential to restoring lasting peace and security.
He urged all security stakeholders to remain united in the collective effort to rid the area of criminal elements and ensure lasting stability.
Operation Whirl Stroke reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The task force assured residents that all useful intelligence would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly.
Troops Kill Suspected Terrorist, Recover AK-47 in Benue Anti-Kidnap Operation
