Troops of the Maritime Component of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE have recovered two AK-47 rifles and other items following a gun battle with suspected criminal elements posing as herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation, conducted on October 26, 2026, followed credible intelligence that some armed criminal elements had crossed from neighbouring Nasarawa State into Guma LGA. According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Headquarters of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, the troops came under gunfire upon arriving at the location.
He said the troops responded effectively, repelled the attack and forced the assailants to flee, adding that no casualty was recorded among the troops.
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE and General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops for their vigilance, proactive response and successful recovery of the items. Major General Gara charged the troops to strengthen collaboration with local communities and sustain intelligence-led operations to prevent criminal activities and improve security across the Joint Operations Area.
He also appreciated members of the public for providing credible and actionable intelligence and for the confidence they continue to repose in the troops. The commander urged residents to sustain their cooperation with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities to support ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security across the area.
The statement disclosed that further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four empty AK-47 magazines, eight calves, three mobile phones, a National Identification Number (NIN) document belonging to one Umar Yusuf, and the sum of ₦20.
