Dare Babalola
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested three suspected terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition during a clearance operation in the Agasha area, as part of ongoing efforts to secure farming communities ahead of the rainy season.
The development was disclosed in a statement posted on Friday on the Army’s official X (formerly Twitter) page, detailing the success of troops operating under the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Intervention Battalion XI.
According to the statement signed by Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, the operation, which took place on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
It was driven by credible intelligence on the presence of suspected terrorists within the Agasha general area.
Acting swiftly, the troops advanced tactically to the location and executed a coordinated cordon-and-search maneuver.
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Sule Ibrahim and Salmanu Risko, both natives of Nasarawa State, as well as Abdulkareem Haruna from Jos.
Military sources said the suspects were apprehended after troops successfully secured and searched the area without resistance.
Items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, and 27 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 ammunition. Other items found in the possession of the suspects were a Tecno mobile phone, a cutlass, ten sachets of alcohol, and assorted charms.
The military noted that the recovered items further indicate the suspects’ alleged involvement in criminal activities within the area.
The statement emphasised that troops have continued to maintain what it described as an “aggressive operational posture” across the Joint Operations Area, with sustained patrols and clearance missions aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of movement.
The Army added that the intensified operations are part of broader measures to enhance security in rural communities, particularly as farmers prepare to commence cultivation activities during the wet season.
The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience.
He praised their commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens, noting that their sacrifices continue to play a crucial role in stabilizing affected communities.
The suspects are currently in military custody and are undergoing preliminary investigation. Authorities said they will be handed over to appropriate agencies for prosecution in line with the law.
Operation Whirl Stroke is a joint military operation tasked with tackling armed banditry, herder-farmer conflicts, and other forms of insecurity in parts of North-Central Nigeria, particularly in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states.
In recent months, the operation has intensified intelligence-led offensives targeting known flashpoints, as part of efforts to restore normalcy and protect agricultural activities critical to food security in the region.
