Troops capture wanted bandit, recover cache of ammunition

As part of ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal activities in Taraba State under the umbrella of Operation LAFIYAN JAMAA, troops from the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have carried out a series of well-coordinated operations across various local government areas.

These efforts have led to the capture of a notorious bandit, the arrest of a fake military officer, and the discovery of a significant amount of arms and ammunition.

In a statement issued by Captain Olubodunde Oni, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Brigade, it was revealed that troops acted swiftly following a distress call from a local hunter on 16 April 2025. The troops moved quickly to a suspected bandits’ hideout at Dutsen Kachalla in Lainde, Lau LGA.

“Upon spotting the approaching soldiers, the criminals fled into the rugged terrain. The troops chased them down and managed to recover one (1) AK-47 magazine, one (1) AK-47 rifle butt, one (1) military headgear, and a National Identification Card belonging to one Adamu Umaru Jauro,” the statement noted.

“On 19 April 2025, based on reliable intelligence, troops captured a known criminal, Yusuf Hammadu, alias “Dogo,” in Lainde Jessy, Lau LGA. Hammadu had been on the radar of security agencies for his involvement in various criminal activities. During questioning, he admitted to being part of a gang responsible for multiple kidnappings and ransom collections in Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau, and Yorro LGAs.”

A separate operation on 22 April 2025 led to the arrest of Richard Ogu, who had been falsely claiming to be a serving Major in the Nigerian Army.

“The suspect falsely asserted that he had been assigned to 20 Model Battalion in Gashaka. During initial questioning, Ogu admitted to having been a discharged Flight Sergeant in the Nigerian Air Force since November 22, 2019,” the statement explained. Ogu had been defrauding people by impersonating a military officer. Notably, he traded his Nissan Jeep for a Toyota Corolla worth ₦5.2 million and failed to pay the remaining balance. He also took ₦1.6 million as a deposit for supplying 350 bags of Beniseed and extorted funds from locals in Bali and Gassol LGAs, claiming to be involved in military recruitment. He even posed as the Officer Commanding the Forward Operating Base in Bali, attempting to procure firearms for community leaders.

In yet another operation on 24 April 2025, 6 Brigade troops, in collaboration with DIA operatives, carried out a successful raid at Jatau-Nyimu village in Donga LGA. The operation resulted in the recovery of eighty-six (86) rounds of 5.6MM ammunition, one (1) Tarvor magazine, four (4) cartridges, one (1) Beofeng handheld radio, three (3) single-barrel guns, and two (2) military camouflage uniforms.

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, the Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, praised the troops for their professionalism and dedication. He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to securing lasting peace in Taraba State and urged the public to continue providing timely, credible information to support their operations.

General Uwa also cautioned the public against dealing with individuals who demand money or material goods for military recruitment, emphasizing that joining the Nigerian Army is a voluntary, free, and merit-based process.