By Emmanuel Awari,Jalingo
Troops of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have made significant breakthroughs in combating criminal activities in Taraba State, apprehending four suspected Ambazonian rebels and recovering vandalized property belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
In a statement released by Captain Olubodunde Oni, the Assistant Director of Public Relations for the 6 Brigade, the suspects were apprehended at a hotel in Takum town on December 18, following a tip-off.
“Acting on credible human intelligence, troops tracked and apprehended four suspected members of the Ambazonia rebel group at a hotel in Takum,” Oni said.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted to being members of the rebel group involved in arms proliferation in exchange for cocoa with Nigerian collaborators.
Four mobile phones were recovered from the suspects, who are now in custody for further investigation.
In a separate operation, troops deployed in the Natilde community of Bantaji district in Wukari Local Government Area intercepted a truck transporting 19 stolen pipelines belonging to NNPCL.
The vehicle, with registration number WKR 66 BB Taraba, was seized following actionable intelligence.
“Further collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wukari Division led to the recovery of an additional 11 pipes, bringing the total to 30,” Oni added.
The recovered pipelines have been handed over to the NSCDC Wukari Division for further investigation and legal action.
Captain Oni reaffirmed the army’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and critical national infrastructure, urging the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The 6 Brigade’s operations are part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and curb criminal activities in the region.