Troops Take Down Four Suspected Bandits in Benue and Taraba

The Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE has announced that its soldiers killed four suspected bandits, rescued two kidnapped victims, and seized an AK-47 rifle with ammunition. They also broke up a suspected drug trafficking ring during operations in Benue and Taraba states from May 24 to May 31, 2026.

Lt Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the Acting Media Information Officer of the force, shared this news in a statement on Tuesday.

The operations aimed at catching armed robbers, kidnappers, bandits, and suspected drug traffickers in the area.

The statement explained that troops were sent to the Gbajimba, Agasha Road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on May 24. This was after reports of an attack by armed herders. They discovered two injured residents at the location.

“The victims were taken to the Primary Health Centre in Gbajimba for treatment, while a manhunt for the attackers is ongoing,” the statement said.

On the same day, troops responded to an armed robbery alert on the Rafin Kada, Donga Road in Taraba State. They ran into a shootout with the suspected robbers.

“Troops killed two armed robbers and recovered one AK-47 rifle with three magazines, ammunition, and N39,950,” the statement added.

The task force said troops acted on a report of a kidnapping along the Antegh, Zongo Road in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State on May 25. They intercepted suspected kidnappers in the area.

According to the statement, the suspects abandoned their captives and fled upon seeing the troops.

“One suspect was arrested, while the rescued victims were reunited with their families,” the statement said.

The task force also reported progress against suspected drug trafficking in the area.

The statement noted that on May 23, troops searched a car in Makurdi and found 641 pieces of suspected illegal drugs and N781,000 in cash.

It added that a follow-up operation on May 27 led to the arrest of three more suspected drug dealers.

“More drugs, a motorcycle, and N40,000 were recovered during the operation. The arrested individuals are being processed to be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,” the statement said.

In another operation on May 31, troops, acting on intelligence, raided a suspected bandits’ hideout at Imande Igigh in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

“Two bandits were killed, and ammunition and other items were recovered from the hideout,” the statement added.

Major General Moses Gara, the Force Commander, praised the troops for their achievements and encouraged them to keep up the hard work.

Gara also urged communities to quickly report any suspicious criminal activities to security agencies. He warned informants helping criminals to stop or face serious consequences.