Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have foiled a coordinated terror plot in Taraba State, arresting two suspected terrorists in separate intelligence-led operations carried out in Wukari Local Government Area on Tuesday, July 16.
The operation, according to a statement by the Brigade’s Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, was based on credible intelligence indicating imminent threats to public safety in the area.
In one of the arrests, 45-year-old Felix Myina, a native of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, was apprehended by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Wukari. Preliminary findings identified Myina as a senior member of a notorious kidnapping and banditry gang operating under a wanted criminal kingpin known as “Mcianan” or “Yellow.”
The syndicate is believed to be responsible for several violent attacks along the Jootar–Wukari route, targeting both motorists and local communities. Troops recovered a Tecno mobile phone from Myina at the time of his arrest.
In a separate but related development, troops arrested 26-year-old Abubakar Yusuf, a native of Borno State residing in Gassol Local Government Area. He was intercepted near the Aku-Uka Palace Junction in Wukari while allegedly performing ritual activities believed to be in preparation for an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attack.
Items recovered from Yusuf include a dead chicken, nine rotten unhatched eggs, an animal horn, a bottle containing a powdered substance, and pieces of fresh meat. The army disclosed that the suspect admitted to carrying out the rituals as a means of “spiritually tying” the town to ease access for fellow terrorists.
“Both suspects are currently in military custody and are providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations,” the army said.
Reacting to the successful operations, Commander of the 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their swift action and expressed gratitude to residents for their vigilance and timely intelligence.
He called on the public to remain alert and continue cooperating with security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities.
“The Brigade remains resolute in its mandate to protect lives and restore peace and stability across the region,” General Uwa stated.