BREAKING: Troops Crush Deadly Ambush Plot in Benue, Neutralise Three Notorious Bandits

PoliticsNigeria has taken to its official online handle and announced that, In a decisive counter-offensive that underscored the rising momentum of security operations in Benue State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) on Wednesday foiled a deadly ambush attempt and eliminated three notorious bandits terrorising communities in Ukum Local Government Area.

The coordinated operation—conducted on 11 December in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Zaki-Biam Division, and the Benue State Community Protection Guard (BSSCPG)—was triggered by credible intelligence indicating that a criminal gang had erected an illegal roadblock along the strategic route linking Aturuku, Wembe, and Ayati villages in Borkyo council ward.

According to security sources, the syndicate had been ambushing unsuspecting travellers, robbing them at gunpoint, and instilling fear across surrounding communities. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops stormed the location and immediately came under fire from the armed gang. In a brief but fierce exchange, three members of the criminal network were neutralised, while the rest fled into nearby bushes.

Security personnel recovered two motorcycles, believed to be operational assets of the gang. A manhunt has since been launched to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the wider network behind the attacks.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the neutralised individuals were part of a notorious kidnap-for-ransom syndicate linked to recurrent abductions, including recent incidents around the Zaki-Biam yam market, one of the region’s busiest trading hubs.

Community members later identified the deceased as Sughter Abelebe and Sughnen Abelebe from Ugbaam council ward, along with a third suspect from Tse Kpeakaa in Kundav. Reliable sources further connected the syndicate to a feared bandit leader operating from the Shitile axis in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, an area long plagued by criminal activities.

Reacting to the successful operation, OPWS Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, commended the seamless synergy among participating security agencies. He praised the troops for their courage, discipline, and unwavering professionalism, urging them to “sustain the operational tempo and deepen intelligence-driven deployments across vulnerable communities.”

General Gara reaffirmed OPWS’ unshakeable commitment to safeguarding lives, restoring peace, and supporting civil authorities across its joint operations theatre, noting that the crackdown on criminal elements will continue until normalcy fully returns to affected communities.

With the latest breakthrough, security forces have once again sent a strong message to criminal networks operating within the Benue border corridors: their days are numbered.