Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended three suspected criminals found in possession of arms and other items during a security operation in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, the arrest was made on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, when troops on routine patrol along the Otukpo–Enugu Road, near the Amoda axis, intercepted the suspects following credible intelligence reports.
The three suspects, identified as John Isaac (22 years old), Baba Emmanuel (17 years old), and Sunday Thomas (19 years old), all residents of Otukpo Local Government Area, were reportedly riding a motorcycle when they were stopped and subjected to a search by the vigilant troops. Upon inspection, the soldiers recovered three mobile phones, ₦20,200 in cash, and other personal items believed to have been intended for use in criminal activity.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the trio were allegedly en route to execute a planned operation when they were intercepted. The suspects are currently being held in military custody for further interrogation to determine their affiliations, motives, and possible connections with criminal gangs operating in the region.
Lieutenant Zubairu stated that the arrest was a product of sustained intelligence gathering and routine patrols aimed at preventing banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity that have plagued rural communities in Benue and neighbouring states. He noted that the troops’ swift response and vigilance prevented what could have been another violent attack in the area.
In his reaction, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, discipline, and alertness in handling the situation. He praised their proactive measures, which he said have been instrumental in curbing criminal activities and maintaining law and order in volatile parts of the state.
Major General Gara urged the troops to maintain operational momentum and intensify surveillance patrols across all flashpoints, particularly in farming communities, to protect residents during the ongoing harvest season. He reaffirmed the military’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that farmers and rural dwellers carry out their activities without fear of attacks or intimidation.
The Force Commander further assured the people of Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States — the primary areas of responsibility for Operation Whirl Stroke — that the joint task force remains dedicated to restoring lasting peace and stability across the region. He reiterated that OPWS would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and community leaders to strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms and ensure the prompt neutralization of any emerging threats.
He emphasized that the military’s recent successes are a direct result of enhanced coordination between troops and local communities, who now play a vital role in providing credible information to security operatives. Gara called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities in their surroundings to the nearest security formation for swift intervention.
The arrest of the suspects underscores the ongoing efforts of Operation Whirl Stroke to dismantle criminal networks and deny them freedom of movement within Benue State and beyond. Security analysts believe that the latest operation sends a strong warning to criminal elements that the era of impunity and unchecked violence in rural areas is coming to an end.
Meanwhile, local residents have commended the military for its increased presence and renewed efforts to ensure peace, particularly after recent security incidents in the Ohimini axis. The troops have since intensified patrols along key roads and hinterland communities to forestall any form of reprisal attacks or renewed hostilities.
Authorities confirmed that investigations into the activities of the arrested suspects are ongoing and that further details will be released as the inquiry progresses. The military has reaffirmed that any individuals found culpable will be handed over to appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution in accordance with the law.
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