Troops kill two kidnappers, rescue three victims in Benue, recover cache of arms

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in conjunction with the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, have neutralised two suspected kidnappers and rescued three abducted victims during a fighting patrol in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 3:00 a.m. on July 17 in the Tse-Togo and Utenge communities following intelligence on the activities of armed kidnappers in the area.

The sources said the troops engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, killing two of the suspected kidnappers and successfully rescuing three kidnapped victims unharmed.

Following the operation, troops exploited the kidnappers’ hideouts and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one pistol, 19 AK-47 magazines, one G3 magazine, 181 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 40 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, nine rounds of 5.56×45mm ammunition, two pairs of woodland camouflage uniforms, two pairs of desert camouflage uniforms, one Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and one Tetron communication device.

The recovered items have been taken into custody, while the rescued victims have been reunited with their families after preliminary profiling.

Military authorities said clearance operations are continuing across the area to track down other fleeing members of the kidnapping syndicate and dismantle their remaining hideouts.

Troops kill two kidnappers, rescue three victims in Benue, recover cache of arms

Troops arrest five suspected militias, recover weapon in Benue operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested five suspected militia members and recovered a firearm during a clearance operation in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 8:00 a.m. on July 17 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) Otukpo and Oju.

The sources said the troops raided suspected militia enclaves located in the Otukpo-Nobi, Amichio and Amula Forest areas, leading to the arrest of five suspected militia members.

During the operation, the troops recovered one locally made Dane gun and five rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

The suspected militia camps were subsequently destroyed to deny the criminals the ability to regroup and continue their activities.

The suspects are currently in military custody for preliminary investigation, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network operating in the area.

Troops arrest five suspected militias, recover weapon in Benue operation

Troops dismantle illegal refining site in Rivers, destroy equipment

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-South under Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) have dismantled an illegal refining site and destroyed equipment used for illicit petroleum refining in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted between 10:30 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. on July 17 during an anti-illegal bunkering patrol by troops of 103 Battalion (Mechanised).

The sources said the troops discovered the illegal refining site within Ogbogolo Community, where they recovered two locally fabricated refining ovens, two coolants, two reservoirs and two pipes measuring approximately 150 metres in length.

The recovered equipment was handled and destroyed in accordance with the mandate of Operation Delta Safe to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining and related economic sabotage in the Niger Delta.

Military authorities said troops remain committed to sustaining operations against illegal bunkering activities and protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure across the region.

Troops dismantle illegal refining site in Rivers, destroy equipment