Troops of the Brigade of the Nigerian Army under Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have said they arrested five suspected armed criminals in Taraba State.

In a statement on Saturday, Umar Muhammad, the operation’s acting spokesman, said that officers were deployed to the forward operating base (FOB) Karim Lamido on Thursday, June 4, 2026, where the armed suspects were arrested.

“The troops immediately mobilised and moved to the scene. Upon arrival, they came under fire from unidentified gunmen and responded with overwhelming firepower, forcing the assailants to flee in different directions. 

“The troops subsequently pursued the fleeing suspects and successfully apprehended five individuals,” Mr Muhammad said.

He said the items recovered from the suspects included two motorcycles, daggers, machetes, charms, gunpowder and five mobile phones.

The operation’s commander, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Akaliro, commended the professionalism, courage and gallantry displayed by the troops during the operation.

He reiterated the Chief of Army Staff’s directives that all personnel must remain vigilant, sustain ongoing efforts to flush out criminals, and deny them freedom of action within their area of responsibility.

He assured the people of Taraba State of an unwavering commitment to pursuing criminals wherever they hide and maintaining sustained pressure on threats to peace and security until normalcy is fully restored across the state.