SECURITY FORCES STORM BANDIT HIDEOUT IN TAKUM, ARREST FIVE, RECOVER AK-47 AMMUNITION

SECURITY FORCES STORM BANDIT HIDEOUT IN TAKUM, ARREST FIVE, RECOVER AK-47 AMMUNITION

…Suspected gang members flee before troops arrive

By Taraba News | September 3, 2026

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have arrested five suspected associates of a notorious bandit following an intelligence-led raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Peva, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The military operation, carried out in the early hours of Thursday, September 3, followed intelligence reportedly received at about 12:30 a.m. concerning the location of suspected criminal elements in the area.

Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, said troops from Sector 1, working in collaboration with Sector 3, immediately mobilised to the location and carried out the raid.

However, the main suspects reportedly escaped before the troops arrived, with the military suggesting that they may have been alerted by informants about the approaching security personnel.

A subsequent search of the location led to the arrest of five persons suspected of having links with the fleeing bandit and his criminal network.

The troops also recovered two AK-47 rifle magazines, 46 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a woodland camouflage jacket and jungle hat, four charm vests and assorted charms.

According to the military, the arrests and recovered items are expected to provide useful intelligence that could assist security forces in tracking down other members of the gang who remain at large.

Operation WHIRL STROKE said the latest operation forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks and restore security to communities within its Joint Operations Area.

The task force reaffirmed its determination to maintain pressure on terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements until their networks are disrupted and affected communities are secured.

Residents of Taraba State and other communities within the operational area were also urged to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

The military stressed that cooperation between residents and security forces remains critical to identifying criminal hideouts, disrupting their networks and improving security across affected communities.