Operation Whirl Stroke Troops Recover Guns, Grenades, Others in Taraba Raid

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State, following an intelligence-led operation conducted on January 4, 2026.

In a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s X handle, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, said the operation was launched after credible intelligence indicated the movement of an associate of notorious criminal John Ngata.

Acting swiftly, OPWS troops established a snap roadblock at Zaki-Biam, intercepting the suspect without incident. During preliminary questioning, the individual voluntarily guided troops to a concealed armoury at Amadu Village.

The operation resulted in the seizure of:

• 13 AK-47 rifles
• 39 AK-47 magazines
• 690 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
• 4 hand grenades

Following the recovery, the armoury was professionally destroyed to prevent further use, and troops withdrew safely to base.

The Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, rapid response, and effective use of intelligence, noting that the operation disrupted a criminal supply chain and removed lethal weapons from circulation.

Gara emphasized the importance of community support, urging residents to continue providing timely and actionable intelligence, while assuring confidentiality and prompt response from security forces. He reaffirmed OPWS’s commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and protection of lives and property across its operational area.

The Force Commander also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff for strategic guidance and to the Service Chiefs for their sustained support to the task force.