In a major victory for regional security, gallant troops attached to the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have successfully neutralized a suspected member of the vicious terrorist gang responsible for the assassination of the former Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), Professor David Salifu.
The late former SSG and university lecturer tragically succumbed to severe gunshot injuries following a violent interception by criminal elements along the highway earlier this week.
Responding swiftly to the security breach, military authorities deployed a heavily armed tactical unit stationed at Kyado after receiving actionable, high-grade intelligence regarding the active movements of the network within Jotar village, situated in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Upon arriving at the identified criminal hideout, the troops immediately engaged the armed kidnappers in a fierce, high-intensity gun duel.
"During the encounter, one terrorist was neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene. The recovery further underscores the determination of Operation WHIRL STROKE to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate within its Joint Operations Area.
There are indicators that the neutralized bandit may have been part of the gang that attacked commuters on 1 July 2026 which included the former Benue State SSG who suffered a gun shot injury," the Acting Media Information Officer for the OPWS task force, Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed in a comprehensive statement released on Friday night.
The successful military intervention has sent a strong signal to the remnants of the syndicates operating within the border corridors of Benue and Taraba states.
With local communities heavily impacted by rural banditry, the JTF command has reiterated its unwavering operational commitment to intensifying aggressive stabilization patrols, ensuring the total elimination of armed cells, and guaranteeing the safety of commuters traversing major highways across the North-Central region.
#OperationWhirlStroke #BenueSecurity #DavidSalifu #UkumLGA #JotarVillage #NigerianArmy #BanditryCrackdown #NaijaNews
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