Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working alongside operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, have foiled a suspected terrorist attack on the popular Tor Donga Yam Market in Benue State, killing two suspected attackers and recovering weapons and ammunition.
The military said the operation prevented what could have been a deadly attack on traders and residents, allowing commercial activities at the market to continue without disruption.
The development is the latest in ongoing military efforts to restore security in Benue and other parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region, where communities have continued to grapple with attacks by armed groups, bandits and other criminal elements.
The successful operation was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu.
According to the statement, the troops were carrying out fighting and confidence-building patrols around the Tor Donga Yam Market when they received a distress call about the presence of suspected terrorists in the area.
The soldiers immediately moved to the location to confront the attackers.
“On arrival, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them decisively. During the encounter, two terrorists, identified as Dantaraba and Golozo, were neutralised,” the statement said.
The military did not disclose whether any soldiers or civilians were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
Following the operation, troops recovered several weapons and other items believed to have belonged to the suspects.
The recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one damaged pistol, one pistol magazine, six rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, nine rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, one ATM card, one Moniepoint ATM card and other personal belongings.
Military authorities said the recovered weapons would assist ongoing investigations and help security agencies in tracking criminal networks operating within the area.
The statement added that the swift intervention by the troops prevented panic at the market and ensured that traders and buyers were able to continue their business without fear.
Tor Donga Yam Market is one of the important agricultural markets in Benue State, attracting traders involved in the sale and transportation of yam and other farm produce.
Markets such as Tor Donga play a vital role in the state’s economy, with Benue widely regarded as Nigeria’s “Food Basket” because of its large agricultural output.
However, insecurity has remained a major challenge for farming communities across the state.
Repeated attacks by armed groups have forced many farmers to abandon their farms, disrupted food production and affected the movement of agricultural products to different parts of the country.
Several communities in Benue have also witnessed violent attacks in recent years, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property and the displacement of thousands of residents.
The military and other security agencies have continued to intensify operations aimed at restoring peace and preventing further attacks.
Operation Whirl Stroke was established to tackle insecurity in Benue and neighbouring states by conducting coordinated military operations against terrorists, armed bandits, militias and other criminal groups threatening public safety.
The Joint Task Force regularly works with other security agencies and local security outfits to gather intelligence and respond quickly to emerging threats.
Commenting on the latest operation, the Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, courage and prompt response.
According to him, the soldiers acted swiftly and prevented what could have resulted in significant civilian casualties and serious disruption of economic activities at the market.
Gara also praised the Benue State Civil Protection Guard for its continued cooperation with the military in the fight against criminality across the state.
He said collaboration between conventional security agencies and local security organisations remains essential to addressing the security challenges facing many communities.
The Force Commander equally expressed appreciation to members of the public for providing credible and timely information that assisted the operation.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and criminal activities within their communities.
According to him, security is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between the military, other security agencies and members of the public.
He assured residents that Operation Whirl Stroke would sustain its ongoing operations to deny terrorists and other criminal groups the freedom to operate in Benue and neighbouring states.
They note that prompt reporting of suspicious activities often enables security forces to respond quickly and prevent attacks before they occur.
The latest operation is expected to boost confidence among traders and residents in Tor Donga and surrounding communities, many of whom have lived under the fear of recurring attacks.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting lives, securing major economic centres and ensuring that farming and commercial activities continue without intimidation from criminal groups.
The military also assured residents that troops would maintain aggressive patrols and surveillance across vulnerable communities as part of efforts to strengthen security and safeguard lives and property in Benue State.