Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have raided bandits’ hideouts and disrupted a meeting allegedly convened by a notorious bandit leader in the southern part of Taraba State.
The operation, which was carried out on July 5, targeted remote areas in Wukari Local Government Area believed to be strongholds of Liamdoo Douglas Adekpe, popularly known as Bajor.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, the operation was conducted following credible intelligence.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched a swift offensive operation on identified bandits’ enclaves, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon several items,” the statement said.
It added that the operation led to the destruction of key camps used by the syndicate for coordinating attacks and storing weapons.
During the raid, troops recovered five operational motorcycles suspected to be used by the criminals for raids and quick mobility.
The Commander, 6 Brigade and Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, who confirmed the development, said although the bandit leader, Bajor, and his associates narrowly escaped, they were being trailed by security forces.
He assured residents of the military’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks threatening peace and security in Taraba and its environs.
Brigadier General Uwa urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations.
He reiterated the army’s resolve to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to ensure lasting peace in the state.
The operation, according to him, forms part of a wider clearance mission aimed at flushing out criminal elements from the state.
