Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 6 Brigade/Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered 444 rounds of live ammunition during a routine security operation in Taraba State.
The arrests were made on Thursday along the Wukari–Ikyaior Road in Wukari Local Government Area, where soldiers deployed at the Forward Operating Base conducted a stop-and-search exercise. According to military authorities, the suspects were intercepted while riding a motorcycle and subsequently taken into custody after a search uncovered a significant cache of ammunition.
The suspects were identified as Wisdom Soomga, 32, from Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, and Elisha Danladi, 38, a native of Wukari in Taraba State. Security operatives recovered 444 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from them, alongside ₦29,200 in cash, two mobile phones, ATM cards, charms, personal belongings, and the motorcycle allegedly used for transportation.
Military officials confirmed that the suspects and the recovered items remain in custody as investigations continue to determine the source of the ammunition and its intended destination. The development underscores ongoing efforts by security forces to disrupt the movement of illegal arms in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-East corridors.
The Commander of the 6 Brigade, Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops for their vigilance and swift action, describing the operation as consistent with directives from the Chief of Army Staff to clamp down on criminal networks and restore stability in the region. He urged personnel to “sustain the momentum and remain resolute in their efforts to rid the area of all forms of criminality.”
Akaliro also reassured residents of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while calling on the public to support ongoing operations. He encouraged citizens to provide “timely and credible information on suspicious activities” to aid security agencies in their work.
Reinforcing internal accountability, the commander reiterated his commitment to maintaining a robust system of rewards and discipline within the ranks, noting that officers and soldiers who demonstrate professionalism, dedication, and courage during operations “will be duly recognized and rewarded.”
