By EMMANUEL ANTSWEN

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have raided a suspected terrorists’ hideout in Peva, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba, and arrested five suspected associates of a fleeing bandit.

The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS Headquarters JTF, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Makurdi, Benue.

Zubairu said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday following credible intelligence received by troops at about 12:30 a.m.

He said troops of Sector 1, in collaboration with those of Sector 3, both operating under OPWS, swiftly mobilised and launched a precision raid on the identified hideout.

According to him, the suspected terrorists fled the location before the arrival of the troops, apparently after being alerted by informants.

He said the troops subsequently conducted a thorough search of the area, leading to the arrest of five persons suspected to be associates of the fleeing bandits.

Zubairu said the troops, during the operation, recovered two AK-47 rifle magazines and 46 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

He said that the operatives also had other items, including one woodland camouflage jacket, a jungle hat, four charm vests and assorted charms.

Zubairu said the arrest and recovery of the items had provided the security forces with useful leads to apprehending other members of the criminal gang.

He said OPWS would sustain intelligence-driven operations to maintain pressure on the terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements across its Joint Operations Area.

The acting media information officer reassured residents of Taraba and other parts of the operational area of the task force’s determination to restore law and order in the area.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security forces to aid ongoing operations. (NAN)