Troops from the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, recently conducted security operations in the Benue and Nasarawa states of Nigeria, leading to the neutralization of one armed bandit and the arrest of eight suspects involved in criminal activities. According to a statement from Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, the spokesman for OPWS, these operations were prompted by reliable intelligence on the movement of armed herders in Ayamba Village within the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

On February 3, 2026, OPWS troops collaborated with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard to initiate a planned operation. Upon their arrival at the target location, the troops engaged in a firefight with armed elements, which resulted in one bandit being killed. The troops successfully recovered an AK-47 rifle, three rounds of ammunition, and two magazines from the scene, underscoring the ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to combat banditry in the region.

A follow-up operation on February 4 further entrenched the commitment of OPWS towards enhancing security in the area. The swift response and collaboration among various security agencies present a strategic approach to addressing the increasing threats posed by armed groups in central Nigeria, highlighting the critical need for ongoing military involvement to restore stability in affected areas.