By SUNTV Global Channel | January 4, 2026
Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against armed criminality in Taraba State, busting a secret armoury linked to notorious kingpin John Gata and intercepting his wife during a covert movement.
Military sources confirmed to SUNTV Global Channel that the operation was carried out following credible and actionable intelligence, which revealed that the suspect’s wife was travelling along the Amadu Village–Wukari–Kyado–Zaki-Biam axis, with Gboko as her intended destination.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops of Sub-Sector 1A mounted a snap roadblock at Zaki-Biam, where they successfully intercepted the woman without any resistance.
According to a senior Army Headquarters source who spoke on the operation, the suspect later led troops to a concealed weapons cache belonging to her husband, hidden in Amadu Village, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of a large cache of deadly weapons, including:
- 13 AK-47 rifles
- 38 magazines
- 690 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
- Four hand grenades
Military authorities disclosed that the armoury was immediately destroyed on-site to prevent its reuse by criminal gangs or other armed groups operating within the region.
The Army confirmed that all troops involved in the operation returned safely to base, adding that the security situation in the area remains calm.
The source further noted that civil-military relations remain cordial, while troop morale and operational readiness are high.
“Fighting patrols and confidence-building operations are ongoing across the region, with troops maintaining sustained pressure on criminal elements,” the source said.
This latest operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued commitment to dismantling criminal networks, cutting off illegal arms supply chains, and restoring lasting peace in Taraba State and its environs.
— SUNTV Global Channel
