Troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have killed an armed bandit and arrested suspected criminals linked to offences including armed robbery and cattle rustling during coordinated operations in Benue and Nasarawa states.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, who said the successes resulted from sustained intelligence-driven patrols and aggressive operations against criminal elements in the region.

According to the statement, on February 3, 2026, troops of Sector 1, OPWS, acting on credible intelligence about the presence of armed herders in Ayamba Village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, swiftly mobilised to the area in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.

Upon arrival, the troops encountered the armed suspects, leading to a brief exchange of fire during which one bandit was neutralised. Items recovered at the scene included one AK-47 rifle, three rounds of 7.62mm × 39mm ammunition, and two magazines.

In a related operation on February 4, 2026, troops of Sector 2, OPWS, stationed at Patrol Base Agyaragu in Nasarawa State, received actionable intelligence from a local hunter about suspected armed robbers operating along the Asupe–Ome Road in Obi Local Government Area.

The troops immediately moved to the location with the assistance of the hunter, leading to the arrest of one suspect, identified as 34-year-old Adam Paul. An AK-47 rifle was also recovered during the operation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained the weapon from one Tela Obu, a resident of Duduguru Community in Obi LGA. Two other suspects, identified as John Amos and Elisha, also from the same community, reportedly fled the scene and are currently being sought by security operatives.

The statement added that efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.