Troops of the 6 Brigade/Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with other security agencies, have successfully arrested several crime kingpins and terrorists, according to a statement released on Friday by the Nigerian Army.
The arrests include individuals linked to the killing of a traditional ruler and his son in Taraba State, marking a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat crime and terrorism in the region.
Captain Olubodunde Oni, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Brigade, provided details of the operations, which were conducted across various local government areas of the state.
“The operations, carried out across various Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, resulted in the arrest of several criminals, kidnappers, terrorists, and suspected bandits,” Captain Oni stated.
One of the key arrests was that of a Tiv militia kingpin, Mela Selim, who is believed to have masterminded the killing of the traditional ruler of Chanchangi and his son at Jankindo village in the Takum Local Government Area of the state.
The statement also highlighted a significant raid on August 18, 2024, in Takum LGA, where troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected kidnapper named David Musa.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that Musa is associated with a notorious kidnap kingpin, Ephraim, also known as ‘Skin the Body’,” Oni explained.
The suspect is currently undergoing further investigation to uncover more details about the criminal network.
In another operation on August 20, 2024, troops arrested two suspected gunrunners, James Nuhu and Dan-Asabe Ango, in Wukari LGA.
During interrogation, the suspects “confessed to participating in various criminal activities within Wukari and surrounding areas. They also identified Ibrahim Philemon as the group’s armourer, responsible for storing weapons and managing the proceeds of their criminal activities,” Oni said.
Following this confession, troops swiftly conducted a follow-up operation at Philemon’s residence, where they “recovered a safe containing a large quantity of 7.62mm ammunition and assorted weapons,” Oni added.
In a related development, intelligence regarding the movement of two members of the Konyo-led Tiv militias along the Takum–Katsina-Ala Road in Takum LGA led to the arrest of suspects Fidelis Nyitar and Isaiah Ioraa.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were en route to Takum to procure logistics items for the militia cells hiding between Dogon Gawa in Takum LGA and Tor Donga in Benue State. The suspects are in custody and undergoing further investigation,” Captain Oni stated.
On August 21, 2024, troops tracked down and arrested Mela Selim, the Tiv militia kingpin believed to have masterminded the killing of the Chief of Chanchangi at Jankindo Village in Takum LGA on July 19, 2024.
“Selim is currently being interrogated, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the militia group,” Oni further explained.
The statement also described an ambush by terrorists on August 21, 2024, targeting troops of the 6 Brigade and vigilante members during a patrol in Lissam, Kuruku, and Kwesati communities in Ussa LGA.
“The troops effectively countered the ambush, using superior firepower to force the terrorists to flee into the bushes,” Oni said.
During the pursuit, troops “discovered traces of blood along the terrorists’ escape route and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, a locally fabricated gun, and two motorcycles,” he added.
Efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing terrorists, the statement concluded.
The commander of the 6 Brigade expressed gratitude to the citizens of Taraba State for their support and the provision of credible intelligence that contributed to the successes achieved in the operations.
He, however, urged the public to “continue supporting the military and security agencies in their efforts to ensure lasting peace in the state.”