Fatimah Otunsanya
Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have intercepted a suspected gun runner and recovered 969 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Taraba State.
In a Saturday statement posted on X, the Nigerian Army said the arrest was made on February 21, 2026, at Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of the state.
The statement was signed by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, LieutenantbUmar Muhammad, and dated February 21, 2026.
It was titled, “Troops intercept suspected gun runner, recover 969 rounds of ammunition in Taraba.”
According to the statement, “In continued efforts to stamp out criminal activities and sustain peace in Taraba State, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA)/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), on 21 February 2026, successfully intercepted and arrested a suspected gun-runner during a stop-and-search operation at Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.”
The Army said the operation followed “actionable and credible intelligence.”
It added that “Vigilant troops on sentry duty flagged down an Audi vehicle with registration number RBC 798 DV (Abuja). Upon a thorough search of the vehicle, one Mr. Monday Reuben, a 48-year-old male from Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was arrested.”
Detailing the items recovered, the statement read, “Two (2) AK-47 rifles; One hundred and ninety-seven (197) empty magazines; One (1) box of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition containing 250 rounds; Fourteen (14) packs of 9mm Parabellum ammunition containing 700 rounds; Nineteen (19) rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition; The sum of Two Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (₦2,440,000); One wallet containing four different identification cards and four ATM cards; One Android phone and one Itel keypad phone; One power bank; Eight (8) bottles of perfume; One rechargeable touch light; Assorted local charms.”
The Army said, “The suspect and all recovered items are currently in custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and necessary action.”
The Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Chukwuemeka Akaliro, commended the troops for their alertness and diligence.
This is as he emphasised that the “Brigade must maintain the tempo as it strives to fulfil the mandate given by the Chief of Army Staff to rid Taraba State of all forms of criminality and threats to lives and property.”
He further stated that “The Brigade will continue to uphold its reward and sanction policy. Officers and soldiers involved in the successful operation will be duly recognised and rewarded for their professionalism and commitment to duty.
