Troops arrest suspected gunrunners, recover ammunition in Taraba

Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, have arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered a large cache of ammunition in Taraba State.

The arrest, as stated by the brigade, was made on Thursday, during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Wukari, along the Wukari–Ikyaior road in Wukari local government council of the state.

According to the statement, the suspects were intercepted while riding a motorcycle.

“They were identified as Wisdom Soomga, 32, from Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, and Elisha Danladi, 38, a native of Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State,” the army said.

Signed by the Brigade’s acting spokesperson, Lt Umar Mohammad, a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of 444 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Other items recovered include N29,200 in cash, two mobile phones, ATM cards, charms, personal belongings, and the motorcycle used in conveying the items.

The suspects, along with the recovered exhibits, the army said, are currently in custody as investigations continue to determine the source and intended use of the ammunition.

Reacting to the development, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops for their vigilance and swift response.

He noted that the operation aligns with the directives of the Chief of Army Staff to eliminate criminal elements and improve security across Taraba State.

The commander urged the troops to sustain the tempo of operations and remain committed to ridding the state of all forms of criminality.

He also reassured law-abiding citizens of the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property, while calling on members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

Brigadier General Akaliro further emphasized the Army’s commitment to rewarding professionalism and bravery among its personnel, noting that officers and soldiers who distinguish themselves in the line of duty will be duly recognized