Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have disrupted suspected criminal activities in parts of Benue State, dismantling an alleged illegal checkpoint and arresting two suspected kidnappers in separate operations.
The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the operations were carried out following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected criminals in the state.
According to Zubairu, troops on August 19 moved against a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates who were allegedly operating an illegal roadblock along the Jortar-Atume axis.
He said the troops encountered the group at the location, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
“One suspected bandit, identified by the nickname ‘Cool Nigga’, was neutralized during the encounter, while other members of the group fled,” Zubairu said.
The fleeing suspects reportedly abandoned a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops.
In another operation carried out the same day, OPWS personnel acting on intelligence arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou Village in Logo Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel.
The military said preliminary investigations indicated that the two men were allegedly planning to kidnap a resident of the community, Mrs Balame Nyikwagh.
Items recovered during the operation included a locally manufactured pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, several SIM cards and charms.
The latest operations come amid continued security concerns in parts of Benue, where communities have faced threats from armed groups, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
OPWS said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal networks and prevent attacks on residents.
The command reassured residents that its personnel remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state.
It also urged residents and community leaders to promptly share credible information about suspicious movements and criminal activities with security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence could help troops prevent attacks and apprehend suspects before they carry out their plans.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
