June 22, (THEWILL) – Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have launched a major clearance operation in Southern Taraba, dismantling several bandit hideouts and recovering ammunition.
According to a press release signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Capt. Olubodunde Ooni, the two-day operation, conducted from June 19 to 20, was led by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, and executed by personnel of the newly established Forward Operating Base (FOB), Wukari.
The operation targeted criminal strongholds in Wukari and Takum Local Government Areas, focusing on riverbanks, hills, abandoned settlements, and suspected terrorist enclaves.
On the first day, troops moved along the High Tension route from Chonku to Gor Road, combing through villages such as Lortema, Gudu, Mbayenge, and Teyotima in Wukari LGA.
“At Teyotima village, credible intelligence indicated that the mother of a notorious criminal, ANGBA (FNU), popularly known as ‘Yellow,’ resides in the area. The suspect is believed to use the village as a safe haven. Troops cordoned off and searched the area, but no weapons or suspects were found,” the statement read.
Further operations extended to Ikayior village, known as the home of another wanted criminal, AKIKI UTIV, alias ‘Full Fire.’ Troops uncovered and dismantled a bandit camp in the village, where they recovered 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition loaded in an AK-47 magazine.
The camp was subsequently destroyed to prevent future use by criminal elements.
On June 20, the troops continued clearance operations through Chanchangi, Jam Kaanan, Hingir, Ukum, and Nbaume villages in Takum LGA without encountering enemy contact.
However, at Mande Atsager, identified as the hideout of wanted bandit leader VERIOR JOHN GATA, troops came under hostile fire. The bandits, overwhelmed by superior firepower, fled into the surrounding forest, abandoning their camp.
The statement added that troops cleared and destroyed an abandoned building with four detention cells believed to have held kidnap victims, as well as a shrine containing a human skull suspected to be used for ritualistic purposes linked to the gang’s operations.
Brigadier General Uwa commended the troops for their courage, professionalism, and discipline during the operation.
He reiterated the military’s commitment to eradicating criminal networks in Taraba State.
The Commander also expressed gratitude to local residents for their cooperation and urged continued vigilance, encouraging the public to promptly report any suspicious activity to security agencies.
