Troops foil terrorist attack, kill bandit kingpin in Plateau

Troops of the 3 Division and Joint Task Force OperationEnduring Peace (JTF OPEP) have thwarted a planned attack by armed bandits inPlateau state. The soldiers also killed a notorious terrorist kingpin,recovering weapons in the process. Acting on “credible intelligence” in the early hours ofDecember 25, the troops launched an operation in Gwande community, MongunaDistrict, Bokkos LGA. In a statement, Samson Zhakom, information officer of theoperation, said the bandits, who were reportedly preparing to attack aneighbouring community, were intercepted and engaged. He said troops recovered a fabricated revolver rifle, afabricated pistol, nine rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and six cartridges fromthe scene. “In the early hours of 25 December 2025, troops, acting oncredible intelligence, conducted a decisive operation at Gwande Community,Monguna District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State,” the statementreads. “During the operation, troops made contact with a group ofarmed bandits who were mobilising to launch an attack on a nearby community.The troops swiftly engaged the criminals, forcing them to flee in disarray. “In the subsequent exchange of gunfire, one bandit wasneutralised, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.” Zhakom said preliminary investigations confirmed that theslain bandit was a member of a feared syndicate terrorising Gwande andsurrounding areas. Following the encounter, the troops have intensified effortsto track down fleeing members of the gang. The army reassured residents of Plateau state of commitmentto ensuring peace and security, urging the public to continue sharing timelyand credible intelligence. The military also issued a warning to criminal elementsoperating in the area to cease illegal activities or face decisive action.

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