Troops Kill Two Terrorists, Rescue Three Abductees

Troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke have killed two suspected terrorists and rescued three kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

The military said the intelligence-led offensive, carried out in collaboration with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, also led to the recovery of rifles, ammunition, military uniforms and other items from the suspected terrorists’ camp.

The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, in a statement, said the operation began at about 3 a.m. on Thursday and ended on Friday.

Zubairu said troops advanced through Takum in Taraba State to Tse Togo and Utenge communities across River Yooyo at Orter Camp, where the suspected terrorists were believed to be operating.

“During the operation, troops engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, neutralising two of them,” the statement read.

The military identified the rescued victims as Nyityo Abraham, a teacher; Uzuegwu Chukwuemeka Decency, a spare parts dealer; and Terhember Tavarshima, a farmer, all from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

He added that while three hostages were successfully rescued, other captives fled the camp during the firefight.

The operation also yielded a cache of weapons, ammunition and military items allegedly used by the suspects.

According to Zubairu, recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle with optic sight, one pistol, 19 AK-47 magazines, 181 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 40 rounds of 7.62×51mm ammunition, nine rounds of 7.62mm Tavor ammunition, one Moniepoint POS device, two pairs of desert camouflage uniforms and two pairs of woodland camouflage uniforms.

The Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, praised the troops for the successful mission and reiterated the military’s resolve to tackle insecurity in the joint operations area.

TROOPS OF OPERATION WHIRL STROKE STRIKE HEAVY BLOW AT TERRORIST HIDEOUT RECOVER WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION RESCUE THREE KIDNAP VICTIMS IN OFFENSIVE OPERATION

Troops of Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, in conjunction with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, have… pic.twitter.com/dSLEEq2oX4

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) July 17, 2026