Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have neutralised a suspected bandit linked to the attack that claimed the life of Professor David Salifu, a former Secretary to the Benue State Government, during a swift anti-kidnapping operation in Benue State.
Salifu died on Friday from a gunshot injury inflicted on him by a suspected gang of kidnappers earlier Thursday along the Wukari-Zakibiam road on the borders of Benue and Taraba states.
A statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, said troops promptly carried out an operation following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers at Jotar Village, near the Quarantine Checkpoint, on July 2, 2026.
Zubairu noted that the troops deployed at Kyado immediately mobilised to the area to prevent the criminals from carrying out their operation.
He said the troops engaged the armed suspects in a fierce gun battle upon arrival at the scene, leading to the neutralisation of one of the terrorists, while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds.
The OPWS spokesman further disclosed that troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines from the scene.
He added that preliminary indicators suggest the neutralised suspect may have belonged to the gang responsible for the July 1 attack on commuters along the Wukari-Makurdi road, during which Prof. Salifu sustained the gunshot injuries that later claimed his life.
Meanwhile, the Force Commander of OPWS, Major General Moses Gara, has commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, urging them to sustain aggressive fighting patrols and intensify pressure on criminal elements across the joint operations area of Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.
The Force Commander reassured residents of the task force’s commitment to protecting lives and property and appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence.
He assured that all useful information would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly.