Joint Security Forces Arrest Two Armed Suspects in Benue, Recover Weapons
In a coordinated security sweep, troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) apprehended two armed suspects during an anti-crime patrol in Benue State on Thursday, July 3, 2025. The operation, part of ongoing efforts to crack down on criminal activity in the region, resulted in the interception of the suspects near strategic entry and exit points around Makurdi, the state capital.
The arrested individuals have been identified as 42-year-old Felix Agbako, a farmer from Abiam Village in Gwer East Local Government Area, and Tsekaa Kyaan, also 42, a driver from Tse-Adam Village in Makurdi LGA. The pair were taken into custody after security personnel discovered a hidden cache of arms inside their vehicle.
According to military sources, the suspects were traveling in a blue Toyota Camry (registration number: Lagos FST 733 GL) when they were stopped. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and a fully loaded magazine with 7.62mm special ammunition.
The operation, commanded by Captain Miri-Dashe of the 401 Special Forces Brigade and supported by Captain Iyamba, was part of a broader campaign to eliminate illegal checkpoints and disrupt the movement of armed groups within the area. Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Keystone Security also participated in the mission.
Following the arrests, both suspects and the recovered weapons were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and legal processing.
Reacting to the arrest, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, praised the professionalism and vigilance of the joint team. He reaffirmed the operation’s commitment to ensuring that criminal elements find no safe haven in Benue or surrounding areas.
General Gara also acknowledged the strategic support provided by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede. He emphasized that their continued provision of resources and logistical backing remains vital to the success of OPWS’s mandate to protect lives and property across the region.