By Zakaa Lazarus
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have disrupted a kidnappers’ roadblock, neutralised one suspect and arrested two others in separate operations across Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, August 21, 2026.
According to him, troops acting on credible intelligence on August 19, 2026, regarding the activities of a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar–Atume axis, OPWS troops swiftly mobilised to the area.
On arrival, the troops engaged the criminals in a firefight during which one suspected bandit, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was neutralised. Other members of the group fled in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle which was recovered by the troops.
In a separate operation on the same day, OPWS troops deployed to Logo Local Government Area, acting on information from a credible source, apprehended two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village.
The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel. They reportedly confessed to an attempt to kidnap Mrs Balame Nyikwagh of Gou Village.
Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.
Lieutenant Zubairu said the suspects remain in military custody for further investigation.
The Force reassured law-abiding citizens of its commitment to protecting lives and property, and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
