The Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE has
recorded significant operational successes across its Area of Responsibility,
dealing heavy blows to terrorist elements operating in Nigeria’s North-Central
region, according to a statement released today, Friday, 20 February 2026 by
the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
Through sustained dominance operations, troops
conducted multiple offensive raids and patrols in Guma, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala,
Agatu, and Makurdi Local Government Areas of Benue State, as well as Wukari LGA
in Taraba State. These actions targeted known terrorist hideouts and transit
routes frequently used by criminal elements for ambushes, abductions, and
attacks on soft targets.
Nigerian military also demonstrated exemplary rapid-response
capabilities by effectively intervening in kidnapping incidents reported in
Lokoja LGA of Kogi State and Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State, preventing
escalation and reinforcing public trust in the security forces amid ongoing
terrorist threats.
A particularly notable engagement occurred on
19 February 2026, when troops of Sector 1 Operation WHIRL STROKE, deployed at
Abaji/Katsina-Ala, acted on credible intelligence about terrorist activity in
Kumeh village, Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. The troops swiftly mobilized,
made contact with the terrorists, and engaged them in a fierce firefight.
Several terrorists were neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
Troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered substantial caches of arms
and ammunition of various calibres.
Overall, the week’s operations delivered
impressive results: 11 terrorists were arrested, including Aisha Auta, the wife
of a notorious wanted terrorist ringleader, whose detention is expected to
provide critical intelligence on the group’s network, financing, and
operational structures. Four kidnapped victims were liberated and safely
reunited with their families, and troops seized a large cache of arms,
ammunition, motorcycles, and other logistical items, severely disrupting the
terrorists’ supply lines and mobility.
These achievements underscore the Nigerian
Armed Forces’ growing operational momentum in the North-Central theatre, where
coordinated, intelligence-led offensives are systematically dismantling
terrorist enclaves and restoring security to vulnerable communities. The rapid
response to distress calls and the high-value arrest of figures linked to terrorist
leadership demonstrate not only tactical excellence but also strategic depth in
degrading criminal networks.
According to Major General Onoja, the
professionalism, courage, and relentless pursuit exhibited by troops of
Operation WHIRL STROKE continue to yield tangible improvements in civilian
safety, enabling farming communities to return to their livelihoods and
reducing the climate of fear that has long hampered development in the region.
These successes reflect the broader effectiveness of Nigeria’s
counter-terrorism strategy and the unwavering commitment of its military to
protecting lives and securing the nation.