Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke have killed two suspected armed bandits during a tactical operation in Taraba State, recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition in the process.
The operation, according to the military, was carried out on Saturday in a forest near the “Welcome to Donga” signpost in Akate District of Donga Local Government Area following intelligence reports of gunshots around the area.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the troops were said to have moved to the location after receiving what the army described as credible intelligence.
The statement noted that the troops encountered suspected armed men shortly after arriving at the scene, which led to a gun battle between both sides.
It stated that two of the suspects were killed during the exchange of fire.
Recovered items, according to the army, included one AK-47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two AK-47 magazines, two mobile phones, and other personal belongings found at the scene.
The latest operation adds to a series of recent military offensives across parts of Taraba State where security agencies have intensified efforts against banditry, kidnapping, and armed violence affecting rural communities and major transit routes.
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Although Donga and neighbouring local government areas have witnessed repeated security operations in recent months, attacks linked to armed groups and criminal gangs have continued to raise concerns among residents, particularly in forested communities vulnerable to ambushes and highway crimes.
The army said the operation formed part of the ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state and restore public confidence in affected communities.
Speaking on the operation, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops their swift response and professionalism.
He urged the soldiers to sustain ongoing operations against criminal groups in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff to eliminate security threats across the state.
Akaliro also disclosed that the military’s reward and sanction policy would apply to personnel involved in the operation, a remark that appeared aimed at reinforcing operational discipline and accountability among troops deployed to internal security duties.
He further reassured residents that the military would continue to sustain pressure on armed groups operating within Taraba and surrounding areas.
Akaliro said, “The Brigade remains resolute in its commitment to pursuing criminal elements and maintaining sustained pressure on them until all threats to peace and security are completely eliminated.”
While military raids often lead to arrests, recoveries, or the killing of suspected criminals, sustaining territorial control and preventing regrouping remain major challenges in Nigeria’s wider counter-banditry operations.
In several parts of the North-Central and North-East, armed groups have continued to exploit difficult terrains, forest corridors, and weak local policing structures to evade security crackdowns.
Taraba State, though not as heavily affected as some North-West states, has in recent years witnessed rising incidents of bandit attacks, communal violence, kidnapping, and cross-border criminal activities, particularly in remote communities with limited security presence.
Residents in some affected local government areas have repeatedly called for increased military patrols and intelligence-driven operations to prevent further attacks on farming communities and travellers.
The Nigerian Army has, however, maintained that ongoing joint operations under Operation Whirl Stroke are gradually disrupting criminal activities within the region.
Sunday’s operation in Donga is reflective of the military’s continued reliance on intelligence-led raids and rapid troop deployment as part of efforts to contain armed groups operating within Taraba and neighbouring states.
