Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, have killed a suspected bandit and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations across Benue State.
The operations, according to the task force, were carried out as part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities threatening communities in the state.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.
Zubairu said troops acting on credible intelligence on August 19, 2026, moved against a suspected bandit kingpin and his associates who were allegedly operating an illegal checkpoint along the Jortar–Atume axis.
According to him, the troops arrived at the location and engaged the suspected criminals in a gun battle.
He said one of the suspected bandits, identified by the nickname “Cool Nigga”, was killed during the exchange of fire.
“The other members of the group fled in disarray, abandoning a motorcycle, which was recovered by the troops,” the statement said.
The operation is part of the military’s continued efforts to dismantle criminal groups operating in parts of Benue and neighbouring states.
Illegal checkpoints have remained a concern in areas affected by insecurity, as criminal groups often use such locations to stop travellers, collect money and monitor the movement of people and vehicles.
The military has continued to rely on intelligence from residents and other sources to identify the locations and activities of such groups.
In a separate operation, troops arrested two suspected kidnappers at Gou in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The suspects were identified as 44-year-old Terhile Iyo and 32-year-old Vershima Emmanuel.
Zubairu said the two men had confessed to an attempt to kidnap a woman identified as Mrs Balame Nyikwagh of Gou Village.
Items recovered from the suspects included one locally made pistol, one cartridge, five Tecno torchlight phones, a MoniePoint ATM card, an identity card, multiple SIM cards and charms.
The suspects were said to have remained in military custody for further investigation and intelligence gathering.
The arrests are significant given the continuing security concerns in Logo and other parts of Benue, where residents have faced threats from criminal groups, including kidnappers and armed gangs.
Kidnapping has become a major security challenge in several parts of Nigeria, with criminal groups targeting travellers, farmers, business owners and residents for ransom.
Benue has also experienced attacks and other forms of insecurity, particularly in rural communities where security agencies often face the challenge of covering large areas with limited manpower.
The activities of kidnappers can have serious effects on local communities, as fear of abduction can prevent farmers from going to their farms and disrupt trade and other economic activities.
The military has therefore continued to combine combat operations with intelligence gathering and cooperation with local communities in its efforts to tackle the problem.
Operation Whirl Stroke was established as a military intervention aimed at tackling security threats in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states. The task force has carried out operations against armed groups, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the three states.
The latest operations show the force’s continued focus on both suspected gang leaders and smaller kidnapping groups operating in local communities.
The killing of the suspected bandit known as “Cool Nigga” also followed an intelligence-led operation, according to the task force. The military said other members of the group escaped during the gun battle.
The abandoned motorcycle recovered from the scene could also assist investigators in tracing the fleeing members of the group and establishing their links to other criminal activities in the area.
In the Logo operation, the items recovered from the suspects are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.
The presence of multiple SIM cards and mobile phones could help investigators examine the suspects’ communications and identify possible links with other members of a kidnapping network.
The task force did not disclose whether the suspects had already carried out previous kidnappings or whether ransom demands had been made in connection with the alleged attempt involving Nyikwagh.
However, their reported confession would form part of the evidence being examined by the military as investigations continue.
The security situation in Benue has remained a concern for residents and authorities, with the state government and security agencies repeatedly calling for greater cooperation from communities.
Security agencies have consistently urged residents to report suspicious movements, the presence of armed groups and other unusual activities.
Operation Whirl Stroke also appealed to residents in its areas of operation to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
Zubairu said the force remained committed to protecting lives and property in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
He urged residents not to remain silent when they notice activities that could threaten their communities, stressing the importance of cooperation between security agencies and the public.
The military has maintained that credible information from residents remains vital to preventing attacks and locating criminal groups before they carry out their plans.
The latest operations are therefore expected to put further pressure on criminal networks operating in Benue while also reassuring residents that security agencies are continuing efforts to improve safety across the affected communities.
For residents of Jortar, Atume, Gou and other areas facing security threats, the success of such operations will depend not only on military action but also on sustained intelligence gathering and cooperation between communities and security agencies.