Troops of 6 Brigade, Sector 3, Operation WHIRL STROKE, in a joint operation with operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency, have arrested suspected gunrunners in Taraba State.

Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Umar Muhammad, in a statement on Thursday, said the troops also recovered arms and ammunition from another suspected arms trafficker, currently at large.

Mr Umar said, “Troops of 6 Brigade, Sector 3, Operation WHIRL STROKE, have once again demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vigilance, and commitment to national security following a successful intelligence-led operation that resulted in the arrest of suspected gunrunners and the recovery of arms and ammunition in Taraba State.

“The operation conducted in conjunction with operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency, followed the earlier arrest of two suspected gunrunners, Mr Christopher Adamu and Mr James Yangyang, at Sebos Joint in Mayo Dassa, Jalingo Local Government Area, and Tautre Village in the Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, on 11 and 12 January 2026, respectively. These arrests were achieved through sustained surveillance and deliberate operational planning aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in the illegal proliferation of small arms within the Area of Responsibility.

“Building on this success and acting on credible and actionable intelligence, troops of 6 Brigade, Sector 3, conducted a well-coordinated cordon and search operation at Murubai Village in the Ardo-Kola LGA. During the operation, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, and four rounds of live ammunition from the residence of Mr Bazoe John, a suspected arms trafficker who is currently at large.”

According to Mr Umar, the operation was executed with precision, restraint, respect for civil authority, and concluded successfully without casualty or incident, reflecting the high level of discipline, professionalism, and operational competence of the troops.

He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and to recover additional weapons, as part of sustained measures to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

Commending the troops for the successful operation, the Commander 6 Brigade/Sector 3, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, urged the them to sustain the momentum while maintaining the highest standards of discipline and respect for civil authority.

He also stated that the operation also reinforced the commitment of the troops to safeguarding lives and property, as well as ensuring lasting peace and stability in the state and its environs.