Troops clear terrorist hideouts in Taraba

Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have recorded another success in their ongoing clearance operation, Operation Lafiya Nakowa, aimed at flushing out terrorists, bandits, and other criminal groups from Taraba State.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, the troops on October 14, 2025, launched coordinated clearance operations after receiving credible intelligence on the locations of suspected terrorists operating around Badekoshi, Fajul, Kurmi, and Dampar villages in Ibi Local Government Area.

Muhammad said the troops engaged the terrorists at Badekoshi village, forcing them to retreat towards Fajul. “The gallant troops pursued the fleeing criminals with superior firepower, compelling them to abandon their positions and escape deeper into the forest,” the statement read.

During the subsequent search of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, a round of 7.62mm special ammunition, five rounds of blank ammunition, two fragmental jackets, two military camouflage uniforms, and one Jincheng motorcycle suspected to have been stolen during an earlier attack on Tapga village.

The Commander of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and urged them to sustain the momentum until all criminal elements are eliminated from Taraba State.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens and working with other security agencies and communities to restore lasting peace in the state.

The statement also recalled that on October 1, 2025, troops of the same brigade foiled a planned terrorist attack in Tor-Ikyeghgba village, where they engaged armed bandits and neutralised two suspects after receiving actionable intelligence.