Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have uncovered a concealed armoury in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, recovering a significant cache of weapons including 13 AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The operation, conducted on January 4, 2026, followed actionable intelligence on the movement of an associate of wanted criminal kingpin John Ngata.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, troops intercepted a suspect at a snap roadblock in Zaki-Biam, who subsequently led them to the hidden armoury in Amadu Village. Items recovered included:
– 13 AK-47 rifles
– 39 AK-47 magazines
– 690 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
– 4 hand grenades
After the recovery, the armoury was destroyed to prevent reuse, and troops returned safely to base.
Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of OPWS, commended the troops for their professionalism and effective use of intelligence, which disrupted a major criminal supply chain.
He also appreciated the public for their continued cooperation and urged residents to provide timely, actionable information to security agencies, assuring confidentiality and prompt response.
The operation highlights ongoing efforts to curb arms proliferation and criminal activities in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
