By Femi Osinusi
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have recorded another success in the ongoing Operation Lafiya Nakowa with the dislodgement of several bandits’ hideouts in Taraba State.
The clearance operation, carried out on October 5, 2025, targeted criminal enclaves across Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas following credible intelligence reports of bandits terrorizing residents and destroying farmlands in the affected communities.
According to a statement by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, troops simultaneously advanced into Tarhembe, Tornyi, TY Farm, and Kando in Takum LGA. During the encounter, soldiers engaged the bandits in a brief firefight, forcing them to flee into the forest. Items recovered from the scene included four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one AK-47 magazine, and a motorcycle.
Another team, codenamed Team B, conducted clearance operations within Lissam in Ussa LGA, sweeping through several settlements including Kutukok, Konkan, Fank Utaih, Kijwu, Kutukwo, Kwesati, and Alaha. Though the troops met no resistance, they destroyed several abandoned camps believed to have been used by the bandits.
Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the troops for their professionalism and resilience. He reaffirmed the Army’s resolve to rid Taraba and neighboring areas of criminal elements, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
General Uwa noted that the latest offensive has further weakened the operational capacity of the criminals, denied them freedom of movement, and restored a sense of safety and confidence among local communities.

