Maj. Gen. Moses Gara, The Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), covering Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, says troops have rescued 337 kidnapped victims and recovered 4,105 rustled cattle in ongoing operations across the three states.

The commander disclosed this while speaking on the achievements and operational challenges of the task force in Makurdi, Benue state on Saturday.

He attributed the successes recorded by the operation to the strategic support and guidance provided by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), and other service chiefs.

According to him, the military high command has consistently ensured the availability of combat enablers, helicopters, fighter aircraft and other critical operational assets required for missions in the theatre.

“Our achievements on the ground have been made possible by the support from Defence and Service Headquarters.

“The strategic guidance from the CDS, COAS and CAS ensures that we always have combat helicopters and other air assets available to support operations, while the Naval Headquarters provides support through operational marine platforms and logistics,” he said.

The commander explained that OPWS was established as an intervention force designed to complement, rather than replace, the existing security architecture in the affected states.

He said the task force works alongside other security agencies to bridge operational gaps and respond to emerging security threats.

According to him, criminality remains the major driver of insecurity in the region, contrary to the widespread perception that most conflicts are solely related to disputes between farmers and herders.

“From our experience on the ground, more than 80 per cent of the insecurity is driven by criminality.

“While some incidents may be linked to communal disputes, criminal elements have continued to exploit the situation for kidnapping, cattle rustling and other unlawful activities,” he said.

The commander stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and community cooperation in combating insecurity, noting that information provided by residents had led to the rescue of victims, recovery of weapons and prevention of attacks.

He, however, lamented that many residents were often reluctant to provide information due to fear of reprisals from criminal groups.

According to him, individuals suspected by criminal elements of collaborating with security agencies face significant risks.

The commander recalled a major operation conducted on Aug. 3, 2025, involving the Army, Air Force and other security components, which led to the rescue of 11 kidnapped victims, including two serving police inspectors.

He said the operation also resulted in the recovery of 17 assorted weapons, including machine guns, AK-47 rifles, G3 rifles and FN rifles, along with large quantities of ammunition.

Providing an overview of operational achievements between January and June 2026, the commander said troops neutralised 42 armed criminal elements and arrested 45 suspected gun runners operating across the area of responsibility.

He added that troops also arrested suspected Ambazonian fighters from Cameroon in Taraba State and handed them over to appropriate authorities for further action.

According to him, the task force has intensified efforts against illegal arms trafficking, cult-related activities and drug abuse in the region.

He disclosed that several illicit substances were seized during operations in Benue and Taraba States, while a special anti-cultism operation conducted in Makurdi in April led to multiple arrests and the recovery of prohibited substances. (Zagazola)