In a renewed onslaught against criminal elements, troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have dismantled multiple bandit hideouts in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The operation, carried out on July 5, 2025, targeted a meeting of the notorious bandit leader Liamdoo Douglas Adekpe, also known as Bajor, following credible intelligence reports. Although Bajor and his gang narrowly escaped the offensive, the troops dealt a significant blow to the group’s operations.
According to military sources, the criminals fled the scene as troops approached, abandoning several key items. Among the recovered materials were five operational motorcycles believed to have been used for swift attacks and movement across rural communities. The troops also destroyed several hideouts that were being used to coordinate attacks and conceal weapons.
Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, who confirmed the development, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the operation. He stressed that the Army remains resolute in tracking down Bajor and other criminal elements who continue to endanger lives and property in the region.
“The escape of the gang leader does not mark the end of our pursuit,” Brigadier General Uwa said. “We are intensifying surveillance and ground operations to ensure that all threats are neutralized.”
He further called on residents of Taraba State to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security forces by providing timely and credible information.
“The success of our operations is heavily dependent on the support and intelligence provided by the local population. Together, we will restore peace and security in Taraba and surrounding areas,” he stated.
The latest operation forms part of the Nigerian Army’s broader strategy to rid the state of criminal networks through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, ensuring long-term stability and the protection of citizens.
