By Sunday Elijah,
Troops of Nigeria’s Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation WHIRL STROKE say they have foiled an attempted terrorist attack on Tor Donga Yam Market in Benue State, killing two suspected terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition, according to the military.
The operation was carried out on Sunday, June 28, 2026, after troops, working with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, responded to a distress call while conducting fighting and confidence-building patrols in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, troops engaged the suspected attackers in a gun battle on arrival at the market.
The military identified the two suspects killed during the operation as Dantaraba and Golozo.
Security personnel recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one damaged pistol, one pistol magazine, six rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, nine rounds of 9 mm pistol ammunition, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, a Moniepoint ATM card and other items from the scene.
The military said the operation prevented what could have been a terrorist attack on traders and residents, allowing commercial activities at the Tor Donga Yam Market to continue without disruption.
The Force Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for what he described as their professionalism, resilience and swift response, saying their actions prevented potential civilian casualties and disruption of economic activities.
He also praised the Benue State Civil Protection Guard for its collaboration with the military in efforts to combat criminal activities in the state.
Gara thanked members of the public for providing timely and credible intelligence, urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with information, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s North Central region, has witnessed recurring attacks by armed groups in recent years, contributing to insecurity, displacement of communities and disruption of farming and commercial activities.
The military did not report any casualties among security personnel or civilians during the operation. AFRICA PRIME NEWS could not independently verify details of the incident at the time of publication.
