The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), Major General Moses Gara, on 15 July 2026, conducted an operational visit to the recently attacked Otukpo-Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State to assess the security situation, reassure residents and strengthen ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace.
Accompanied by Principal Staff Officers, Commanding Officers and Component Commanders, the Force Commander met with community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to obtain first-hand information required to support ongoing operations aimed at identifying and apprehending those responsible for the attack.
A statement signed by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu,Acting Media Information Officer ,HQ JTF Operation WHIRl STROKE said the visit commenced with a condolence call on retired Major General HOU Adoga (Retired) at his residence in Upu, where the Force Commander sympathised with the affected families before proceeding to Otukpo-Nobi for a peace and security meeting with community elders and youths.
Addressing the gathering, Major General Gara expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of lives and assured residents that troops would relentlessly pursue the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice. He further reassured the people that no criminal element would be allowed to force them from their ancestral homes, urging them to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information.
Community representatives alleged that suspected armed criminals had repeatedly destroyed farmlands, uprooted yam and cassava crops, threatened farmers with sophisticated weapons and were believed to be operating from the Amla Icho area.
An attempt to access Amla Icho for further operational assessment was hindered by difficult terrain, which bogged down several vehicles. The Force Commander later visited the Area Commander, Otukpo Area Command, ACP KO Ugochukwu, to reinforce inter-agency collaboration in tackling insecurity across the area.
