By Sani Sulaiman
In a series of successful operations, troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have made significant strides in combating criminal activities in Taraba State, according to a press release issued by Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, on December 20, 2024.
The statement detailed two key operations that highlight the army’s efforts. On December 18, acting on credible intelligence, the troops apprehended four suspected members of the Ambazonia rebel group at a hotel in Takum. Initial interrogations revealed that the suspects were involved in arms proliferation, trading weapons for cocoa with local collaborators. Four mobile handsets were recovered from the suspects, who are now in custody and under further investigation.
In another operation, troops stationed at Natilde Community in the Bantaji District of Wukari Local Government Area intercepted a truck with registration number WKR 66 BB Taraba State, transporting 19 stolen pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). Subsequent collaborative efforts with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wukari led to the recovery of an additional 11 pipelines, bringing the total to 30.
“These operations underscore our commitment to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring the security of critical national infrastructure,” Captain Oni stated. He added that the recovered items have been handed over to the NSCDC Wukari Division for further investigation.
Captain Oni also emphasized the importance of public cooperation, urging, “We call on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance our collective efforts in maintaining peace and security.”