Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intensified their offensive against terrorist elements in Plateau State, neutralising six suspected terrorists, arresting a suspected gunrunner, and recovering locally fabricated rifles during a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations across Jos South, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos Local Government Areas.
The Joint Task Force disclosed the operational successes in a statement issued on Thursday, July 2, 2026, by its Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, who said the operations, conducted between June 26 and July 1, were part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves, disrupt criminal networks, and restore lasting peace within the Joint Operations Area.
In one of the operations, troops of Sector 6, acting on intelligence reports of terrorist activities, launched an offensive on June 26 at the Gero Highground in Jos South Local Government Area. Approaching the suspected hideout, the troops came under heavy gunfire from terrorists who allegedly used livestock as cover during the encounter. Rather than retreat, the soldiers held their position and called for reinforcements. The timely arrival of additional personnel forced the terrorists to withdraw from the engagement area, after which troops launched a hot pursuit, neutralising some of the fleeing suspects while others escaped into nearby bushes. Soldiers thereafter conducted extensive combing operations to dismantle the terrorists' enclaves and track down those who fled.
In a related development on the same day, troops of Sector 5 deployed at Maijanki intercepted a motorcycle conveying two passengers travelling from Kuba District in Bokkos Local Government Area towards Maijanki in Barkin Ladi. On sighting the military checkpoint, the two passengers threw away a bag and fled into the surrounding bush, leaving behind the motorcycle rider. A thorough search of the abandoned bag led to the discovery of three locally fabricated rifles. The motorcycle rider was arrested and, during preliminary interrogation, claimed he had picked up the fleeing passengers from Kuba without knowledge of their intended destination or mission. The suspect, recovered firearms, and motorcycle are currently in military custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.
In another successful operation carried out on June 30, troops acting on credible intelligence concerning the gathering of suspected terrorists within the Rafin Bauna and Gero mountains in Jos South Local Government Area laid a successful ambush. The operation resulted in the neutralisation of five suspected terrorists, while others fled in disarray and abandoned their mission. According to the military's battlefield assessment, corroborated by members of the local community, some of those killed had been on the command's wanted list for allegedly masterminding several deadly attacks in Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.
The latest successes came barely two days after troops stationed at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, repelled an attempted terrorist attack on the institution. The attack occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Thursday, July 1, when suspected terrorists breached the institute's perimeter through a low section of the fence under the cover of darkness and opened fire on soldiers on sentry duty. The troops responded swiftly, neutralising one of the attackers while the others escaped. The body of the slain suspect has been handed over to the police for further necessary action, while arms and ammunition recovered during the encounter remain in military custody. Troops have continued to dominate the area through aggressive patrols aimed at preventing any renewed attacks.
Captain Oteh reaffirmed that Operation Enduring Peace remained resolute in denying terrorist elements freedom of action within its joint operations area. He reassured residents of Plateau State that the military and other security agencies would sustain deliberate offensive operations to safeguard lives and property, dismantle terrorist networks, and restore enduring peace across the state. He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.
The successful operations represent a significant blow to criminal networks operating in Plateau State, where communities have endured years of violence and displacement. With six terrorists neutralised, a gunrunning network disrupted, and the NIPSS attack foiled, the military has demonstrated its capacity to respond decisively to emerging threats while maintaining pressure on criminal elements seeking to destabilise the region.
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