In Taraba, the army captures 1,000 rustled cattle and kills outlaws.

During a counter-banditry operation in Taraba State, troops from the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade, working under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, along with members of Operation Safe Haven, have neutralized two suspected bandits and retrieved roughly 1,000 rustled livestock.

Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, made this announcement on Friday.

Following a coordinated response to a bandit raid in which more than 30 armed men on motorcycles crossed into Taraba from neighboring Plateau State, the operation, according to the statement, took place close to Jebjeb village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

Oni claimed that the army acted quickly after receiving reliable information about the bandits’ movements after they had raided a Fulani hamlet and robbed numerous cattle, which resulted in the cattle’s return.

Along with their counterparts from Operation Safe Haven, who were stationed in the Kampani area of Wase LGA, Plateau State, the troops of 6 Brigade mobilized and projected forces toward Komodoro village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State in a swift and coordinated response, according to a portion of the statement.

“A heavy gunfight broke out between the bandits who had already escaped into Plateau State’s Daji Madam Forest across the river boundary upon contact.

“During the encounter, troops neutralised two of the bandits and successfully recovered about one thousand rustled cattle.”

Captain Oni added that the recovered livestock had been herded to safety and relocated to the Jebjeb community, while verification procedures are underway to ensure the rightful owners are identified and the cattle returned.

Commenting on the operation, the Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, lauded the swift and coordinated response of the troops and praised the synergy between security agencies.

“This operation once again demonstrates our resolve to maintain pressure on criminal elements and ensure the safety and security of our communities,” Brigadier General Uwa stated.

Uwa called on residents of Taraba and surrounding areas to continue providing timely and accurate information to the military, stressing that civilian cooperation remains crucial to the ongoing efforts to end banditry and insecurity in the two states.