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Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have sustained momentum in their counter-banditry efforts across Benue State, neutralizing two suspected armed bandits in a recent engagement along the Naka-Makurdi road.
According to reports circulating on local social media platforms, including a post from the Burukuu Indegenes community page shared on February 6, 2026, the operation resulted in the elimination of the two armed individuals and the recovery of automatic weapons from the scene. Images purportedly from the aftermath, showing the neutralized suspects and recovered items, have been shared widely among community members and online observers.
The development follows a series of intensified intelligence-driven patrols and engagements by the Joint Task Force under Operation WHIRL STROKE, aimed at curbing armed banditry, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes plaguing parts of Benue State, particularly in rural and border communities.
In the post, community voices expressed cautious optimism, with one user identifying as Chief Abraham Waroh and others mentioning names such as Tivta Samuel Aondohhemba Abraham C Kyambe, offering prayers for sustained peace in the state. The sentiment reflects a mix of relief at the security gains and a deep yearning for lasting stability amid prolonged insecurity.
While official details from the military authorities regarding this specific incident were not immediately available in the public domain at the time of the social media reports, the action aligns with recent statements from Operation WHIRL STROKE emphasizing continued aggressive patrols, enhanced intelligence gathering, and collaboration with local communities to deny safe havens to criminal elements.
The neutralization of the two suspects and recovery of arms come as part of broader efforts to restore normalcy, protect farmlands, and safeguard lives and property in vulnerable areas of Benue. Residents and stakeholders continue to call for sustained security presence, rapid response mechanisms, and long-term measures to address root causes of violence in the region.
As Operation WHIRL STROKE presses forward, the latest encounter underscores the military’s determination to degrade the operational capacity of armed groups while communities hold onto hope for enduring peace and security in Benue State.
