In a decisive blow against criminal elements in North Central Nigeria, troops of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Intervention Battalion IX successfully neutralised two suspected armed bandits during a high-stakes ambush on Monday.
The operation, carried out under the auspices of the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), took place on January 26, 2026, along the notorious Naka–Ahume–Makurdi Road.
Acting on credible intelligence regarding bandit activity in the vicinity, the Naka-based troops transitioned from a routine fighting patrol to a tactical ambush. During the encounter, soldiers sighted three armed individuals. In the ensuing engagement, two of the suspects were killed, while a third managed to flee the scene with gunshot wounds.
Military officials confirmed the recovery of one AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition at the site of the skirmish.
Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, praised the professionalism of the unit, noting that the success of the mission underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven strategies in the region. He emphasised that the Joint Task Force remains committed to maintaining its operational momentum to ensure the safety of citizens across the Joint Operations Area.
Following the encounter, the military has intensified aggressive fighting patrols in the area to track the fleeing suspect and further restrict the movement of criminal elements.
