Troops destroy suspected terrorist hideout, arrest five in Benue

Troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have destroyed a suspected terrorist hideout and arrested five suspects during a clearance operation in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 11:00 am on August 1, targeting suspected terrorist enclaves in Atombagen, Chito, Tse Kighr, Tse Anaka and Sabongida Leke.

Although the suspects fled before the troops arrived, five individuals were arrested at Sabongida Leke over alleged links to criminal activities in the area.

The troops destroyed the suspected terrorist camp and several structures believed to have served as operational and logistics bases for the criminal elements.

“The operation targeted identified terrorist hideouts as part of ongoing efforts to deny armed groups freedom of movement and dismantle their operational infrastructure,” a military source said.

According to military sources, the operation forms part of sustained clearance missions across the Benue axis aimed at disrupting the activities of armed groups and restoring security in affected communities.

“The arrested suspects will undergo further investigation as security operations continue across the area,” another source said.

The military said the operation underscores ongoing efforts by Operation Whirl Stroke to degrade criminal networks and prevent them from re-establishing bases in Benue State.