Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke conducted a stop and search operation in Sarkin Kudu, Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State. They acted on credible intelligence and intercepted a vehicle on February 21, 2026. This action led to the arrest of a suspected gunrunner and the recovery of weapons and ammunition.
Suspect Apprehended
Soldiers flagged down an Audi vehicle with registration number RBC 798 DV from Abuja. Moreover they arrested Monday Reuben, the 48-year-old suspect from Numan Local Government Area in Adamawa State. Reuben remained in custody for further investigation.
Recovered Items
The search yielded two AK-47 rifles and 197 empty magazines. Troops also seized one box of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammunition with 250 rounds, 14 packs of 9mm Parabellum ammunition totaling 700 rounds, and 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Furthermore they recovered ₦2,440,000 in cash, a wallet containing four identification cards and four ATM cards, an Android phone, an Itel keypad phone, a power bank, eight bottles of perfume, a rechargeable touch light, and assorted local charms.
Official Response
The Nigerian Army issued a statement on X, signed by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Brigade. According to the statement, “troops successfully intercepted and arrested a suspected gun-runner during a stop-and-search operation.”
Chukwuemeka Akaliro, the Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, commended the troops for their alertness. He stated that the brigade must “maintain the tempo to fulfill the mandate given by the Chief of Army Staff to rid Taraba State of all forms of criminality and threats to lives and property.”
In conclusion, Akaliro added that the brigade would uphold its reward and sanction policy, with involved soldiers set for recognition.
