Troops Raid Bandit Hideouts, Gunrunning Syndicates in Taraba, Plateau

In a clearance operation on March 22, the troops raided Achalle, a border community between Karim Lamido Local Government Area in Taraba and Wase Local Government Area in Plateau.

Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Olubodunde Oni, confirmed in a Sunday statement on X that the troops engaged bandits in combat and successfully dislodged them.

A motorcycle was recovered, and forces advanced to a second location identified as a key bandit camp.

“At this location, with over 70 huts, troops encountered resistance but forced the bandits to flee,” Oni said.

Another motorcycle and a passport belonging to one Muhammadu Dahiru were recovered.

The camp was later destroyed.

On March 16, troops raided the residence of two suspected gunrunners, Irimiya Aboki and Tanko Adamu, in Mararraba Donga, Donga Local Government Area of Taraba.

“Though the suspects escaped, a search led to the recovery of four pistols, one pump-action rifle, and six cartridges,” Oni stated.

Further intelligence on March 20 led to the arrest of a suspected arms dealer, Alhaji Mansur Mohammad, in Donga.

Troops “laid an ambush and arrested him with N1.2 million meant for arms procurement.”

Initial investigations linked the money to sponsors in Bauchi State.

On the same day, troops arrested Adamu Yakubu, also known as ‘No Money No Guy,’ described as a key figure in banditry and kidnapping in Benue and Taraba.

“Yakubu and six associates were linked to the March 10 attack on Tse-Shiikaa village in Katsina-Ala, where two people were killed and others injured,” Oni disclosed.

Commander of 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, commended the troops for their efforts and reiterated the commitment to “sustained operations until banditry is curbed.”