Troops arrest bandits, recover arms, ammunition in series of operations in Taraba

Friday, April 25, 2025 - Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested wanted bandits, recovered arms and ammunition across Taraba State

Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, in a statement said the troops arrested a wanted bandit, also a notorious military imposter, and recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

“On 16 April 2025, following a distress call from a local hunter, troops swiftly mobilized to a suspected bandits camp at Dutsen Kachalla in Lainde, Lau LGA.

“Upon sighting the approaching troops, the criminals fled into the mountainous terrain,” it disclosed.

It said troops recovered one AK-47 magazine, one AK-47 rifle butt, one military headgear, and a National Identification Card belonging to one Adamu Umaru Jauro.

It added that troops also apprehended one Yusuf Hammadu, also known as “Dogo”, in Lainde Jessy, Lau LGA, adding that during preliminary interrogation, the arrested suspect confessed to being a member of a syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings and ransom collections in Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau, and Yorro LGAs.

In another operation, troops arrested one Richard Ongu, who had been parading himself as a serving Major in the Nigerian Army, adding that the suspect falsely claimed to be posted to 20 Model Battalion, Gashaka

The operation led to the recovery of eighty-six rounds of 5.6MM ammunition, one Tarvor magazine, four cartridges, one Beofeng handheld radio, three  single-barrel guns, and two military camouflage uniforms.

The Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience, and reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security in Taraba State and called on the general public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.

General Uwa also cautioned the public against patronizing individuals who demand money or material items in exchange for military recruitment, emphasizing that enlistment into the Nigerian Army is voluntary, free and merit-based.