Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, have destroyed criminal hideouts, and neutralized armed elements in Taraba State .
According to the statement issued out to journalists on Thursday in Jalingo, by the Brigade Acting Spokesperson, Lt. Umar Muhammad, the latest successes came during a deliberate clearance operation conducted on 2 December 2025 under Operation Zafin Wuta in Shiid, Agia, and Tyozua communities within Takum Local Government Area.
” Acting on credible intelligence about the presence of armed groups in the Tor-Tser axis, troops advanced towards mountainous hideouts frequently used by bandits”, the statement read.
The criminals, according to the soldiers, reportedly fled deeper into the terrain, abandoning their camps, which were subsequently searched and destroyed by the soldiers.
“In Tyozua, fleeing bandits attempted to slow the troop advance by burning a wooden bridge but the soldiers continued the pursuit, pushing the criminals across the power-line corridor into neighbouring Benue State.
One suspect, identified as Dahiru Maigari, was arrested during the follow-up operation and is undergoing preliminary investigation,” the army explained.
In a separate mission on 4 December, troops, carried out a fighting patrol around Karim Lamido to disrupt bandit movement, said the Acting spokesperson, adding that the troops patrol came under fire from gunmen while approaching Usmanu.
“The soldiers responded immediately, killing two of the attackers. A search of the area yielded an AK-47 rifle and 21 rounds of ammunition. No troops were reported injured, and security in Karim Lamido remain stable”,
The Commander of Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the troops for their professionalism and resilience, noting that the operations demonstrate the Army’s capacity to operate in any terrain and dismantle criminal strongholds.
He assured residents of Taraba State that the Brigade remains committed to tracking down criminal elements and sustaining pressure until peace is fully restored.
