By Tola Gbadamosi

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Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with Sector 2 Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have recorded major successes under Operation Lafiyan Jamaa in Taraba State.

On March 22, 2025, troops launched a decisive offensive in Achalle, a border community between Karim Lamido Local Government area of Taraba State and Wase Local Government area of Plateau State.

The operation saw troops making direct contact with bandits, successfully dislodging them, and recovering a motorcycle before advancing to a major bandit stronghold.

This was contained in a statement issued and made available to The Hope by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Olubodunde Oni at this second location, a fortified hub with over 70 huts, the troops encountered resistance but overwhelmed the criminals, forcing them to flee.

A further search led to the recovery of another motorcycle and an international passport belonging to one Muhammadu Dahiru, suspected to have ties to the criminal network.

The entire camp was destroyed and set ablazed. Pushing further, troops advanced to the Dutsen Zaki high ground, clearing the area and neutralising multiple threats.

In a related development, on March 16, 2025, troops acting on intelligence raided the residence of two notorious gunrunners, Irimiya Aboki and Tanko Adamu (aka Arewa Mafia), in Mararraba Donga, Donga Local Government area of Taraba State.

Although the suspects escaped, troops recovered four pistols, a pump-action rifle, and six cartridges during a thorough search of the premises.

Further intensifying the crackdown, troops, on March 20, 2025, apprehended a suspected arms dealer in Donga Local Government area.

Following a well-coordinated ambush, Alhaji Mansur Mohammad was arrested with N1.2 million, allegedly meant for the illicit purchase of weapons.

Preliminary investigations traced the funds to sponsors in Bauchi State.

On the same day, troops also captured a high-profile bandit leader, Adamu Yakubu (aka No Money No Guy), linked to numerous crimes across Katsina-Ala Local Government area of Benue State and Southern Taraba.

Intelligence reports implicated him and his gang in a brutal attack on March 10, 2025 at Tse-Shiikaa village, where two persons were killed, one sustained life-threatening injuries, and others escaped with various degrees of gunshot and machete wounds.

Commending the troops, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, praised their dedication and professionalism.

He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations until banditry and other criminal activities are decisively crushed.

General Uwa urged the public to remain vigilant and to provide security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance public safety.