Africa-Press. Major General Musa Gara, the commander of the joint task force for Operation Whirl Stroke covering the states of Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba in Nigeria, announced that Nigerian forces successfully freed 337 individuals who were held captive by criminal groups and recovered 4,105 heads of livestock stolen during ongoing security operations in the three states.
During a briefing held on Saturday in Makurdi, Benue State, Gara stated that these results were achieved thanks to the support and strategic guidance provided by the Chief of Defense Staff and other military leaders.
Gara explained that the high military command continuously provided the necessary combat resources for operations, including helicopters, fighter jets, and other military equipment essential for field missions.
He noted that support from the defense command and various staff agencies contributed to enhancing the force’s capabilities to carry out its operations, mentioning that the air force provided the required aerial assets, while the naval forces offered support through available maritime platforms and logistical capabilities.
The force commander indicated that Operation Whirl Stroke was established as an intervention force to support the existing security system in the affected states, rather than to replace it.
He added that the force operates in coordination with other security agencies to address operational gaps and respond to emerging security threats.
Gara emphasized that criminal activity is the primary driver of insecurity in the region, contrary to the prevailing belief that most violence is solely linked to conflicts between farmers and herders.
He clarified that field experience indicates that over 80% of insecurity cases are attributed to criminal activities, noting that while some incidents may be related to community disputes, criminal groups exploit these situations to carry out kidnappings, livestock theft, and other illegal activities.
The military leader stressed the importance of gathering intelligence and cooperation between the population and security agencies in confronting security threats, explaining that information provided by citizens has contributed to freeing hostages, recovering weapons, and thwarting attacks before they occur.
Conversely, he expressed regret over the reluctance of some residents to provide information to security agencies due to fears of retaliation from criminal groups.
