In a major success in the fight against criminal activities, troops of the 6 Brigade/Sector 3 under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended a suspected informant linked to kidnapping activities. The troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle and intercepted a vehicle during two separate operations that took place in Benue and Taraba States.
The arrest of Grace Markus, believed to be an informant for kidnappers, came following an intelligence-led operation conducted on September 6, 2024. According to a statement released by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, the arrest took place after the abduction of a local resident, identified as Mallam Saidu, in Vesee community, located within the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The statement revealed that Grace Markus has been in a romantic relationship with a notorious kidnapper known simply as Chen. Chen is alleged to have been responsible for various criminal activities in the region, causing terror and insecurity among the local population. Grace Markus’ involvement is considered significant, as her role reportedly extended beyond just being a partner but also providing logistical support to these criminal activities. She is currently being held in custody while investigations continue to determine the full extent of her involvement with the kidnappers. Security sources indicate that more arrests could follow as authorities dig deeper into the kidnapping ring operating in the region.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation on the night of September 5, 2024, troops stationed in Bantaje town, Wukari Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, conducted a routine stop-and-search patrol that yielded significant results. The troops flagged down a suspicious Blue Toyota Yaris vehicle bearing the registration number Taraba KLD 652 XA. The vehicle, which was traveling from Wukari towards Jalingo, was halted for a security check. However, the driver of the vehicle, upon being stopped, abandoned the car and fled into the nearby bushes, raising further suspicions of his involvement in illegal activities.
Upon a thorough search of the abandoned vehicle, the troops discovered an AK-47 rifle along with a loaded magazine, both concealed within the car. Also recovered from the vehicle were two identity cards belonging to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mutum Biyu Branch of Gassol LGA, Taraba State. The names on the ID cards were identified as Isa Ibrahim and Isa Garin Tukura. Although the identity of the fleeing driver remains unknown, the discovery of these materials has sparked further investigations, with security agencies working hard to trace and apprehend the suspect as well as ascertain the involvement of individuals with the identity cards.
In light of these successful operations, the Commander of 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, commended his troops for their professionalism and quick action, emphasizing the importance of such timely interventions in combating criminal elements across the region. He called on residents of both Benue and Taraba States to remain vigilant and to continue cooperating with the military and other security agencies. Brigadier General Uwa noted that valuable information from civilians can often provide the breakthrough needed to foil criminal plots before they unfold, reiterating that such cooperation is essential to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
He also reassured the public of the unwavering commitment of 6 Brigade to securing lives and properties within its area of responsibility. The commander made it clear that the brigade will maintain its zero-tolerance stance towards all forms of criminality, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes. This, he stressed, is part of the broader mandate of Operation Whirl Stroke, a special military task force created to tackle insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping in parts of Nigeria’s North-Central and North-Eastern regions.
As investigations continue into both the arrest of Grace Markus and the abandoned vehicle in Bantaje town, authorities are hopeful that these developments will help in unraveling the larger networks of criminal gangs operating in the region. The recent success of these operations has renewed optimism among security operatives that, with the sustained support of the local population, they can effectively stamp out the scourge of kidnapping and related criminal activities in the area.
These operations come at a critical time as both Benue and Taraba States have been grappling with increased incidents of banditry and kidnapping, which have severely impacted the safety and economic activities of local communities. As the military intensifies its crackdown on criminal elements, the message is clear—there will be no safe haven for those who seek to disrupt the peace and stability of the region.
Brigadier General Uwa also urged communities to remain resilient in the face of these security challenges, assuring them that Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with other security agencies, will continue to push forward with operations aimed at restoring law and order to every affected area.
These developments underscore the continued efforts of the Nigerian military to combat insecurity across the country, particularly in regions that have been hardest hit by criminal activities. The arrest of key informants like Grace Markus and the recovery of illegal firearms serve as a reminder that the battle against insecurity is far from over but that progress is being made, step by step.
