Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have arrested a suspected gunrunner during an intelligence-driven operation along the Bantaje–Wukari road in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The suspect was apprehended at about 10:34 a.m. on August 22, 2026, by troops of Sector 3, Operation WHIRL STROKE, stationed at Forward Operating Base Wukari, working alongside a Composite Team from the Defence Intelligence Agency.
According to security sources, the operation was launched after troops received credible intelligence indicating that an individual suspected of trafficking illegal firearms was operating within the area.
Acting swiftly on the information, the security team moved into the identified location and successfully arrested the suspect.
The suspect has been taken into military custody and is currently undergoing investigation. Authorities are expected to establish his identity, determine the extent of his activities and uncover any links he may have with criminal groups operating in Taraba State and neighbouring areas.
Security officials believe the arrest could help investigators trace the routes and networks used to move illegal weapons into the region, particularly those potentially supplying firearms to kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminal elements.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the military and other security agencies to disrupt the flow of illicit arms and weaken criminal networks across the area.
Troops are expected to maintain intelligence-led operations as security agencies intensify efforts to identify arms traffickers, disrupt their supply chains and prevent illegal firearms from reaching criminal groups.
Source:@ZagazolaMakama
