…ISWAP Spy Captured In Baga, Three Terrorists Surrender
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, on Friday, confirmed the death of three civilians following a violent communal clash between the Ugambe community in Konshisha Local Government Area and the Mbaiase community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Acting Media Information Officer, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Ahmad Zubairu, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, when troops responded to a distress call reporting an outbreak of hostilities between the two neighbouring communities.
He explained that on arrival at the scene, the troops came under heavy gunfire from armed men dressed in black. The soldiers responded with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to flee into nearby bushes.
During a subsequent search of the area, troops recovered “one magazine, eight rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, twelve rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition, fifteen empty ammunition shells, and various charms believed to have been used by the fleeing criminals.
“Sadly, three civilians were killed and one was injured before the arrival of the troops.”
The wounded victim was evacuated to General Hospital Aliade for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
Zubairu said calm had been restored to the affected areas, with troops maintaining continuous patrols to forestall further violence.
The Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops of Sector 1 for their prompt response and professionalism in restoring order. He urged them to remain vigilant and continue aggressive patrols to prevent any recurrence.
Gara also appealed to community leaders and stakeholders in both areas to embrace dialogue and resolve their grievances peacefully. He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to combat insecurity and sustain stability across its operational areas.
In a separate operation, troops of the Nigerian Army apprehended a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighter allegedly attempting to spy on soldiers in Baga town, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a statement released on Friday, the Army said the suspect is the “logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist enclaves in Chad and the Niger Republic”.
The Army explained that the suspect was caught by troops of the 196 Amphibious Battalion while attempting to infiltrate the town.
The statement read, “Similarly, on 8 October 2025, troops of 196 Amphibious Battalion at Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State arrested an ISWAP/JAS terrorist fighter while attempting to infiltrate the town.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect served as a logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist enclaves in Chad and the Niger Republic, with the intent to spy on troop movements under the guise of a surrendering fighter.”
The suspect was handed over to the 403 Amphibious Brigade for further investigation.
The Army further disclosed that three ISWAP terrorists who surrendered in Niger State attributed their decision to “intense military pressure and hardship in terrorist enclaves around the Tumbun Marcobina axis.”
“The suspects, originally from Konduga and Jabilam, have been profiled for further debriefing,” the Army added.
In another coordinated security operation, troops of 2 Brigade, in collaboration with Department of State Services (DSS) operatives from Port Harcourt Command, raided a suspected kidnapper’s hideout in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on October 7, 2025.
The operation led to the arrest of a high-value target identified as Emmanuel Akpan, described as a notorious kidnap kingpin operating along the Oron/Ibaka axis.
The Army stated, “In a coordinated operation on 7 October 2025, troops of 2 Brigade in collaboration with Department of State Services operatives from Port Harcourt Command raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, arresting a high-value target identified as Emmanuel Akpan, a notorious kidnap kingpin operating along the Oron/Ibaka axis.
“The suspect is currently in DSS custody for further investigation.”
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