OPWS troops apprehend suspects in Benue, recover gun, ammunition

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

In furtherance of pre-wet season farming operations, troops of the COAS Intervention Battalion XI under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended three suspects in Benue and recovered AK-47 and ammunition.

The Force Commander, Joint Task Force OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, disclosed this in a statement signed by the acting media information officer HQ JTF OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

Gara who noted that troops have continued to clear identified flash points based on credible intelligence explained that upon the receipt of the information regarding the presence of suspected terrorists within the Agasha general area, the troops advanced tactically to the suspected location.

According to him, “Upon arrival, the area was swiftly cordoned, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Mr. Sule Ibrahim and Mr. Salmanu Risko, both from Nasarawa State, as well as Mr. Abdulkareem Haruna from Jos.”

Items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 27 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 ammunition, a Techno mobile phone, a cutlass, 10 sachets of alcohol, and assorted charms.

 He said the suspects are in the troops’ custody for preliminary investigation and subsequent prosecution by the appropriate authorities.

The Force Commander pledges that troops will continue to maintain an aggressive operational posture across the area, dominating the environment to deny criminal elements freedom of action and to enhance security ahead of the farming season.

He commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience, and continued sacrifice in safeguarding law-abiding citizens in the Joint Operations Area.