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By Philip Nwosu
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, on Wednesday undertook an operational tour of key flashpoints under the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion XI in Daudu, Uikpan, and Umenge, Benue State.
The tour also featured an inspection of equipment at the 401 Special Forces Brigade Mechanical Transport Yard, Sector 1 OPWS, Makurdi.
Addressing troops during the visit, Major General Gara commended their resilience in sustaining round-the-clock patrols, ambushes, and farm protection duties within their areas of responsibility. He emphasised the need to remain firm against criminals fueling violence in the region, while highlighting the complementary role of non-kinetic measures.
“Our responsibility is not only to deal decisively with criminal elements but also to create an enabling environment for farmers and law-abiding citizens to carry out their livelihoods and social activities without fear,” he said.
The Force Commander also tasked Community Vigilante members to educate their communities against aiding or participating in crimes such as cattle rustling or livestock destruction. He cautioned herders that cattle found grazing on farmlands would be confiscated, stressing that criminality has no ethnic or tribal identity but remains a major driver of insecurity.
In his operational briefing, the Commanding Officer of the COAS Intervention Battalion XI, Lieutenant Colonel D. Otobo, reaffirmed his unit’s commitment to intensifying offensive operations based on actionable intelligence in order to clear criminal elements from the area.
During his inspection at the 401 Special Forces Brigade Mechanical Transport Yard, Major General Gara directed commanders to prioritise preventive maintenance of vehicles and ensure unserviceable platforms are quickly repaired to enhance combat readiness.
The Force Commander was accompanied by the Commander of Sector 1 OPWS, Colonel Kolawole Bukoye, and other senior officers.
