In a decisive move to stamp out criminality and restore lasting peace in Taraba State, troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, in conjunction with Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, have successfully arrested a notorious wanted bandit, uncovered a fake army officer, and recovered a cache of arms and military-grade equipment in coordinated raids across the state.
According to a press statement issued by the Acting Army Public Relations Officer, Captain Olubodunde Oni, the operations, which spanned multiple locations, culminated in a high-profile offensive on April 16, when troops stormed a known bandit enclave in Lau Local Government Area. During the raid, troops recovered various arms and military paraphernalia, including identification documents linked to one Adamu Umaru Jauro, a high-value target on the security watchlist.
Another key suspect, Yusuf Hammadu, widely known by his alias “Dogo,” was also apprehended in a separate operation. Upon interrogation, Hammadu confessed to being actively involved in a spate of kidnappings that have terrorized residents in various local government areas, confirming long-held suspicions about his role in a broader criminal network operating across the region.
In a separate sting operation, the troops nabbed one Richard Ongu, who had been posing as a Major in the Nigerian Army. Ongu, whose fraudulent activities are believed to have spanned several months, was caught with a fake military uniform and other incriminating items. His arrest has sent a strong warning to impersonators exploiting the military identity to carry out criminal acts.
Among the items recovered from the suspects were 86 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, three single-barrel firearms, military camouflage uniforms, and a Beofeng radio communication device believed to have been used for coordinating illicit operations.
The Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, while commending the troops for their courage and professionalism, reiterated the military’s unflinching commitment to ridding Taraba State of banditry, kidnapping, and armed violence. He called on the residents of the state to remain vigilant and to continue providing actionable intelligence that can aid the security forces in their mission.
General Uwa also used the opportunity to caution members of the public against falling prey to fraudulent military recruitment schemes, noting that genuine recruitment exercises are always publicized through official channels.
As security forces intensify clearance operations across the North-East and North-Central regions, the success in Taraba serves as a testament to the effectiveness of joint military operations and the resilience of the Nigerian Army in securing lives and property.
The Nigerian Army urges all well-meaning citizens to support the troops and report suspicious movements or persons to the nearest security outpost, emphasizing that national security is a collective responsibility.