A terrorist, suspected of being one of the assailants who killed former Benue State Government Secretary, SSG, Prof. David Salifu, has been neutralised by troops from the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, OPWS.
the former SSG died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained during a criminal attack.
In a statement published Friday night, the Acting Media Information Officer for the OPWS task force, Ahmad Zubairu, said one of the terrorists killed in a gunfight in Jotar village, Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State.
According to the statement, while acting on credible intelligence regarding the criminals’ actions, troops were deployed at Kyado “immediately mobilised to the suspected location to prevent the criminals from carrying out their activities.”
“Upon arrival, the troops engaged the armed kidnappers in a furious exchange of fire.
“During the encounter, one terrorist was killed, and troops seized one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the area.
“The recovery demonstrates Operation WHIRL STROKE’s willingness to deny criminal elements the ability to operate within its Joint Operations Area.
“There are indicators that the neutralised bandit may have been part of the gang that attacked commuters on 1 July 2026 which included the former Benue State SSG who suffered a gun shot injury” , the statement continued.