Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have recorded another success against criminal elements following a swift response to credible intelligence on kidnapping activities at Jotar Village, near the Quarantine Checkpoint, on 2nd July, 2026.
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer HQ JTF Operation WHIRL STROKE, acting promptly on the intelligence received, troops deployed at Kyado immediately mobilised to the suspected location to prevent the criminals from carrying out their activities. On arrival, the troops made contact with the armed kidnappers, resulting in a fierce exchange of fire.
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. Meanwhile, 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 gun shot injury.
The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, praised troops resilience and commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He charged them to sustain aggressive fighting patrols and maintain pressure on criminal elements to ensure they are denied freedom of action throughout the OPWS Joint Operations Area.
The Force Commander also applauded other security agencies for their continued collaboration and intelligence sharing, describing inter-agency cooperation as critical to achieving lasting peace and security. He urged all security stakeholders to remain united in the collective effort to restore lasting peace, stability and tranquillity across the Operation WHIRL STROKE Joint Operations Area.
Operation WHIRL STROKE reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and encouraged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that all useful intelligence would be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon promptly.