Troops recover 13 AK-47 rifles, grenades along Benue–Taraba axis

Troops attached to Operation Whirl Stroke have uncovered and seized a large stockpile of weapons in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, dealing what the military described as a significant setback to criminal gangs active along the Benue–Taraba corridor.

According to the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Ahmad Zubairu, the operation was conducted on Sunday following intelligence on the movement of an aide to a feared criminal kingpin, John Ngata.

Based on the intelligence, soldiers quickly established a snap checkpoint at Zaki-Biam in Benue State, where the suspect was apprehended peacefully.

“Following preliminary interrogation, the suspect voluntarily led troops to a concealed armoury belonging to the criminal network at Amadu village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State,” Mr Zubairu said.

He disclosed that the troops uncovered 13 AK-47 rifles, 39 AK-47 magazines, 690 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four hand grenades from the hideout.

After the recovery, the weapons cache was destroyed to prevent reuse, and the soldiers safely returned to their base.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Moses Gara, said the successful raid highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the importance of collaboration with host communities.

He explained that the arms seizure had cut off a major supply line for criminals and significantly reduced the availability of deadly weapons in the area.

Mr Gara reassured residents within the Joint Operations Area of the task force’s commitment to maintaining troop welfare, adequate logistics and operational preparedness. 

He also appealed to the public to continue providing reliable intelligence, promising confidentiality and swift action on information received.

The latest arms recovery comes amid ongoing security challenges along the Benue–Taraba boundary, where criminal elements have taken advantage of remote settlements and strategic routes.

On December 11, 2025, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and the Benue State Community Protection Guard, dismantled a criminal gang that had set up an illegal checkpoint at Ukum Junction in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

During that operation, three suspected criminals were neutralised after engaging troops.

The gang was reportedly responsible for attacks and robberies along roads connecting Aturuku, Wembe and Ayati communities.

Security officials later linked the group to frequent kidnappings around the Zaki-Biam yam market and to a bandit leader operating in the Shitile axis of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

Military authorities say the January 2026 arms recovery in Taraba forms part of sustained operations to weaken criminal networks whose activities cut across Benue and Taraba states an area that has experienced kidnappings, armed robbery and communal violence in recent years.