Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Troops of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke, mounted a precise and intelligence‑led raid on the hideout of a known armed syndicate in Katsina‑Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, successfully dislodging the group and recovering a significant cache of ammunition and logistical equipment. The operation, which unfolded on Sunday, 15 February 2026, took place at Mtan Village in Utange Council Ward and is regarded by military officials as part of a broader campaign to disrupt armed banditry and criminal networks that have persisted in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Detailed accounts from the JTF indicate that the mission followed credible and actionable intelligence pointing to the presence of a notorious bandit leader and his associates who had established a fortified camp in a remote area of Katsina‑Ala LGA. Security forces had been tracking movements linked to the group over recent weeks, as civilians in neighbouring villages reported heightened fear, sporadic raids on farms, and motorised gunmen traversing bush paths to evade patrols. Acting on this information, Sector 1 troops of Operation Whirl Stroke mobilised at dawn, advancing toward the village with tactical squads prepared for engagement.
As soldiers approached the suspected camp, they made visual confirmation of armed elements assembling on the outskirts of the compound. According to the military’s acting media information officer, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, troops immediately came under fire from concealed positions. The ensuing exchange was intense but brief, and the superior training and firepower of the Nigerian Army forced the criminals to break contact and flee into dense surrounding vegetation. No casualties among the troops were reported, and there was no official confirmation of fatalities or arrests among the fleeing suspects during the initial engagement.
After the armed elements retreated, soldiers conducted a thorough exploitation of the abandoned site, systematically securing and cataloguing several items of tactical value. Recovered equipment included two motorcycles, believed to be used by the bandit leader and his aides for rapid movement between forested hideouts; eight weapons magazines; 162 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition, commonly employed in assault rifles; 10 rounds of heavier 7.62 x 54mm ammunition; 44 rounds of 9mm ammunition; links of 7.62mm NATO ammunition; and seven empty NATO cartridge casings suggesting recent firing activity. In addition, a red Toyota vehicle was discovered and promptly taken out of service to prevent its reuse for criminal operations.
The commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, publicly acknowledged the operation’s success, commending intelligence operatives for their crucial role in pinpointing the hideout and praising troops for their professional conduct under fire and adherence to operational discipline. He reiterated the importance of community cooperation, noting that credible information from local residents has been a decisive factor in undermining networks involved in cattle rustling, kidnapping, and armed robbery across Benue and adjoining states.
The raid comes against a backdrop of ongoing insecurity in Benue State and the broader Middle Belt, where armed bandits, militants, and loosely organised criminal networks have exploited rugged terrain and gaps in state security presence to launch attacks on rural communities. In recent months, the area has seen a series of violent incidents ranging from the killing of two community guard personnel by suspected bandits to repeated abductions and the displacement of villagers from their homesteads. These events have eroded economic activity, particularly farming, and heightened tensions between communities seeking protection and local authorities struggling to maintain a sustained security presence.
In 2025, troops under Operation Whirl Stroke and related missions previously made tactical gains in Benue, including the rescue of kidnapped victims and the seizure of weapons in Katsina‑Ala LGA, illustrating a pattern of targeted counter‑criminal operations in the state. These operations have often involved joint efforts with civilian volunteer guards and other security agencies, underscoring the multi‑layered nature of Nigeria’s internal security environment.
Despite recent successes, security officials acknowledge that armed groups continue to adapt by shifting locations, decentralising command structures, and seeking refuge in forests and borderlands that are difficult to monitor. This has required Nigerian military strategists to refine their approach, increasingly relying on real‑time intelligence, community engagement, and inter‑agency coordination to identify and neutralise threats before they can strike with impunity.
The socio‑economic impact of sustained insecurity in Benue has been profound. Farmers, traders, and pastoralists have reported losses of livestock and produce, disruptions to market access, and a pervasive fear of travel along rural routes known to be frequented by armed groups. Such conditions not only hamper livelihoods but can also create fertile ground for criminal recruitment, as disenfranchised youths may be lured into illicit activities in the absence of economic opportunity and effective governance.
In response, authorities at both the federal and state levels have called for a holistic strategy that combines robust security operations with efforts to address underlying drivers of conflict. Proposals include investment in rural infrastructure, expansion of social services, and the strengthening of local institutions capable of mediating disputes and fostering resilience. While military action remains a critical component of protecting citizens and maintaining public order, policymakers and civil society actors argue that sustainable peace will depend on creating conditions that reduce the appeal of criminal networks and offer alternative paths for at‑risk populations.
The recent engagement in Mtan Village is viewed by analysts as a tactical win in this broader framework, demonstrating that precise, intelligence‑driven operations can disrupt criminal enclaves and seize assets vital to their operations. While it does not signify a complete end to insecurity in Katsina‑Ala or Benue State at large, the operation exemplifies the military’s commitment to intensifying pressure on armed syndicates and reclaiming territory that has long been contested by non‑state actors. Continued collaboration between security forces and communities, alongside strategic development initiatives, may be pivotal in reducing the frequency and severity of such threats in the months and years ahead.
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