Troops arrest three suspects, recover rifle in central Nigeria operation

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested three suspected militants and recovered weapons and other items during a pre–wet season offensive in the Agasha area of central Nigeria, the military said.

In a statement signed by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, the troops—drawn from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Intervention Battalion XI—acted on intelligence reports about the presence of suspected terrorists in the area on 26 March 2026.

The statement said the troops advanced to the location and cordoned off the area, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Sule Ibrahim and Salmanu Risko, both from Nasarawa State, and Abdulkareem Haruna from Jos.

Items recovered during the operation included an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 27 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a mobile phone, a cutlass, sachets of alcohol and assorted charms.

The suspects are in military custody and are expected to face prosecution following preliminary investigations, the statement added.

The military said troops would maintain an “aggressive operational posture” in the area to deny criminal groups freedom of movement and to improve security ahead of the farming season.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience in protecting civilians.